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Other than the minutes from the previous meeting, the only thing before the Warsaw Redevelopment Commission to approve at their meeting Monday was two claims.
The first was from Indiana American Water for $360.30 for the former Marsh property on South Buffalo Street, and the other was from Phend & Brown for $56,812.74 for improvement work on CR 300N.
The CR 300N project was funded in part by the state’s Community Crossings Matching Grant.
On the Indiana American Water claim, Councilman Mike Klondaris asked if that was all for the Marsh property, and Warsaw Community Economic and Development Director Jeremy Skinner stated it was.
The city no longer owns the Marsh property, 500 S. Buffalo St., as it’s been sold, with the bulk of the property sold for $1 million to 500 Buffalo LLC and an outlot to Ewert Development LLC for $225,000 to put in a Scooter’s Coffee.
The city bought the Marsh property in 2023 from Cardinal Services for $1.25 million. While the city attempted to find a retailer to buy and move into the building, specifically a grocery store, there was no interest.
On the sell to 500 Buffalo LLC, Skinner said, “We closed it, obviously. It’s a loan through the Redevelopment Commission, so, while we sold it, we’re also the loan holder so it’s a mixed bag when I say we’ve sold it.”
Skinner said he knows the buyers have met with some different entities that might occupy some of the space. “We’ll let them figure it out, but, yes, it’s sold,” Skinner stated.
“It’s up to them now,” Klondaris said.
Klondaris asked about the commission continuing to pay for the utility bills on the property. Skinner said they’re working to get them switched over to the new owners, but he didn’t want the water and heat/electricity to be shut off during the transition period.
“Until then, we’ll keep the lights on,” he said.
The two claims before the commission Monday were approved 3-0, with members Joe Thallemer and Council President Jack Wilhite absent. Also absent was Warsaw Community Schools Board of Trustees representative Brad Johnson, a non-voting member.
Skinner reported he had no other business for the board, but all the projects were moving along. The Warsaw public works facility is being constructed, with a lot of steel on site, but they’re fighting with the weather right now. The foundation for Millworks, the 82-unit apartment infrastructure at the former Owen’s Supermarket on Market Street, appears to be going in, he said. The Union Station Lofts at the site of the former Gatke Corp. are moving along, too.
“All the projects are going up,” Skinner stated.
The next meeting, tentatively scheduled for Feb. 17, may be cancelled due to lack of business.
