Redevelopment Commission establishes new tax districts

Kristi Hileman, Pharos-Tribune, Logansport, Ind.
·3 min read

Mar. 31—The Logansport Redevelopment Commission approved the creation of two separate tax districts Wednesday after no one made public comments on the issues.

An economic development area for The Junction (formerly Logansport Mall without the former JCPenney site) has been created for redevelopment and economic development of the area. This will include parking improvements, utility infrastructure work, demolition of existing structures, and other improvements as needed.

Likewise, a separate economic development area has been established for Sulai Hospitality, developers of Home2 Suites of Hilton. The hotel is planned to be built at the former site of JCPenney. The department store building was razed earlier this year to make room for new construction.

The Sulai Economic Development Area will allow for improvements to parking, utility infrastructure, demolition of existing structures, and other work as necessary.

Due to the new tax districts, the commission agreed to bring Baker Tilly of Indianapolis on board as advisors. The group's Andy Mouser said the municipal utility and government consulting firm will help set up the tax districts and offer support moving forward.

The plans for both districts previously were approved by the Logansport Plan Commission and the Logansport Common Council of the City.

Meanwhile, Arin Shaver, executive director of the Planning Department, said that the 6th Street project is about to wrap. A few more lights need to be installed and some landscaping needs to be added. The property at La Fiesta is part of the Main Street Revitalization Project (MSRP), so some work will be held until that program is underway.

Shaver said finalization of a contract is the focus now, but anticipates everything being in place within the next week or two. Shortly after the contract is signed, she said work may begin behind the scenes by April or May. Once scheduling is set, she will provide notice so the community is aware of what sidewalks may be closed at specific times.

The $600,000 matching-grant project, which has been awarded to the city through the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs, will replace awnings, facades, sidings, and windows of downtown businesses that opted to be part of the program. They include the following: Black Dog Coffee and Legacy Outfitters at 116 6th St., The Gray Mill and Graybeal's Carpet Plus at 500 E. Broadway, Judy's GoodLife Emporium at 327 E. Market, La Fiesta Grocery and Restaurant at the northwest corner of North and Sixth streets, Pear Tree Gallery building at 329-331 E. Market St., the former Richardson's Cleaners at 608 E. Broadway, the State Theatre at 317 E. Market and Walters Precision Collision Repair at 230 Broadway.

With MSRP improvements and the variety of projects going on — or proposed — throughout the city, Bill Cuppy, executive director of the Cass-Logansport Economic Development Organization and Logansport-Cass County Chamber of Commerce, said area business leaders have joined forces to pinpoint specific projects that should take priority over others.

"We're working together in the city to develop an organized focus," he said, adding that a few of those involved in the decision-making are representatives from Logan's Landing, City Council, Redevelopment Commission, and Planning Department.

Reach Kristi Hileman at kristi.hileman@pharostribune.com or 574-732-5150