The Warsaw Plan Commission and the Warsaw Redevelopment Commission both approved a resolution today establishing an Eastern TIF Economic Development Area.

Warsaw city offices are expected to begin moving into the new city hall on Nov. 29-30. The announcement was made at today’s Warsaw Redevelopment Commission’s regular monthly meeting.

City planner Jeremy Skinner provided an update on the renovations noting that the second floor is nearly completed with the exception of cabinetry. “The cabinet maker has been behind scheduled,” noted Skinner.

On the first floor, about 90 percent of the flooring is completed, which is a final step in renovations. Exterior work is still progressing.

In the parking lot, the sub-base gravel is down and a base coat of asphalt is expected to be completed next week. “When we move in depends on the asphalt and cabinets, but surely by early December at the latest,” Skinner added.

The planner added that the switching of telephone lines may be another hinderance in the plans, but Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer added, “Cell phones will still work.”

The new city hall will be in the old National City Bank building at the corner of Center and Buffalo streets in downtown Warsaw.

In other business, claims for the demolition of the two properties at 302 and 308 S. Buffalo St. were accepted. G&G Hauling & Excavating demolished the two residential properties last month at a total cost of $23,702.

The WRC also accepted a resolution establishing the Eastern TIF Economic Development Area. While the board voted to accept the resolution on Sept. 10, the process to establish the district included a vote by the Warsaw Common Council, then a final public hearing by the WRC. That hearing was held today with no input from the public.

The Eastern TIF Economic Development Area will encompass the property where the new Meijer store is being constructed, and adjacent property to the east purchased by the Kosciusko YMCA. It also includes Biomet and a 13-acre tract of land that is bordered by both Anchorage Road and U.S. 30 and will be site of a new commercial development.

A TIF district enables the city to collect property tax revenues on new assessed value. That revenue can then be used to pay for infrastructure or other improvements within the designated area. TIF districts can be designated as either a redevelopment area or as an economic development area. An economic development area requires the finding of significant economic benefit, jobs and private investment, for the community.