By PAULENE POPARAD

The Burns Harbor Redevelopment Commission voted unanimously Thursday authorizing its attorney to seek a contractual agreement that would grant right of entry onto the abandoned Standard Plaza property for the purpose of assessing the U.S. 20 site for redevelopment.

“This property has been hanging out there like a boil for 20 years,” said commission member Mike Perrine.

The former truck stop, which has $80,000 in state fines pending for improper closure, is owned by the estate of a Nevada company whose agent to date has not cooperated in redevelopment efforts.

The commission has contracted with a consultant to seek grants to remediate the Standard Plaza, potentially as part of a commercial/retail project, however, commission member Louis Bain said the first step is gaining access to the property. The grant application is due in November; at some point an environmental assessment will be needed.

Town attorney Bob Welsh said the town could work through the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, seek voluntary access, or as a last resort seek a court order for access or even condemn or acquire the site.

“If we condemn the property, we don’t want to be left holding the bag to clean it up,” said Perrine.

Commission president Cliff Fleming said having a written document with the owner’s representative would protect the town for initial inspections only. He was authorized to execute such an agreement, including possibly a nominal entry fee, should Welsh secure one.

The commission will meet July 17 at 5 p.m. for an update and to meet with the consultant about the grant application.

In a related matter, the Redevelopment Commission voted 5-0 to expand the categories of projects that can be funded with commission revenue, which is generated through property taxes collected in a designated tax-increment financing (TIF) allocation area. Thursday’s change was made by amending the town’s economic development plan.

In addition to funding the repair, maintenance, improvement, construction or expansion of sanitary sewers and other town infrastructure, the plan now authorizes broad TIF expenditures for the public park system including land acquisition. The commission has discussed partnering with other agencies to possibly acquire and manage 180 acres on the town’s west side for recreational purposes.

Also now eligible for TIF money is the acquisition, repair, maintenace and improvement of land for town use or redevelopment including the plaza property, as well as costs related to equipment and town buildings. Possible construction of a new government center has been mentioned.

Clerk-treasurer Jane Jordan said she has not received a response from Porter County Auditor Jim Kopp regarding her many letters about town TIF collections. She said she can make an official request for public records to obtain the information, and Fleming suggested asking for a meeting with Kopp.

Consultant A.J. Monroe reported it appears favorable the commission could receive its $100,000 grant request from the Lake Michigan Coastal Program pending the town’s local match being secured.

The money would be used to update the Burns Harbor master plan and zoning ordinance. A second $100,000 grant from the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority is being sought for the zoning updates and to implement projects that fall in line with the Marquette Plan recommendations, which the RDA is authorized to fund. Monroe said an application will be submitted with the RDA hopefully making a decision Aug. 19.

In Burns Harbor’s case the Marquette Plan in part calls for promoting improvements for a town center; building hike/bike trails that connect with existing trails nearby; capitalizing on redevelopment opportunities along the U.S. 20, State Road 149 and Interstate 94 corridors; undertaking environmental and recreational projects; and making transportation-management upgrades on major highways.

Fleming advised that as of July 1 a new state law requires that the Duneland School Board designate one of its members to sit as a non-voting citizen advisory Redevelopment Commission member. He said he has contacted School Board member John Marshall about the matter.

Posted 6/27/2008