Minutes: Evansville Redevelopment Authority: December 13, 2004

Evansville Redevelopment Authority
Regular Meeting
Monday, December 13, 2004, 7:30 PM
City Hall, 31 S. Madison St., Evansville, WI

MINUTES

Vice-Chairperson Eager called the meeting to order at 7:30 PM. Present were Vice-Chairperson Eager, Ald. Anderson, Ald. Kooyman and Betsy Ahner. Chairperson Hagen, Dean Arnold, and Jane Oberdorf were absent. Bill Connors, Executive Director, also was present.

The agenda was approved as presented by the executive director.

Ms. Ahner, seconded by Ald. Kooyman, moved to approve the minutes of the November 8, 2004, regular meeting, with a correction that James Otterstein of Rock County Economic Development was not present. Motion passed.

There were no citizen appearances on items not listed on the agenda, and no public hearings.

Old Business

First Community Bank Redevelopment Project. Executive Director Connors updated commissioners on the status of the First Community Bank redevelopment project. At this time, the city is focusing on completing the steps necessary to acquire the new right of way for Exchange Street so a construction contract for the spring of 2005 that includes the new Exchange Street can be put out for bid.

Special Assessments of Properties Fronting on Main St. from Union St. to 1st St. Executive Director Connors reported that the Common Council voted to impose the customary level of special assessments on owners of properties on Main St., as the Authority had recommended.

New Business

Executive Director Connors identified the Gravity Zone property and an adjacent parcel, which are for sale, as a prime site for a mixed retail/housing redevelopment project. These two parcels could be combined with three adjacent parcels to create useful sized site for such a project. Mr. Connors said he hopes someone will soon approach the Authority with a proposal for this site.

The Commissioners discussed whether the Authority or the city should participate in obtaining a grant to determine the presence of and clean up contaminants in the soil of the former Auto Transformers parcel. Potential purchasers have expressed reservations about purchasing the property because of possible contamination. The potential purchasers thus far want to operate an automobile repair shop or contractor storage facility on the premises. The consensus of the commissioners was that these are not the kinds of businesses they think the Authority or the city should spend public funds to help locate in the downtown.

Communications and Recommendations from the Executive Director. None at this time.

Ald. Kooyman, seconded by Ald. Anderson, moved to adjourn. Motion passed.

The meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM.

Prepared by William E. Connors, Executive Director

The Minutes are not official until approved by the Authority.