Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer administers the oath of office to members of the Warsaw Redevelopment Commission. Standing, from the left, are, Richard Snodgrass, Tim Meyer, Jeff Grose, George Clemens and Mike Klondaris. City planner Jeremy Skinner is shown seated at the far left. (Photo by Deb Patterson)

WARSAW — While the main order of business was the swearing in of members on the Warsaw Redevelopment Commission and election of officers, the majority of the meeting was a look into projects for 2016.

Jeremy Skinner, city planner, announced the Buffalo Street project would be the big project in 2016. The engineering study is underway. The city is working with American Structurepoint and developer Dave Matthews to package the project. “This will be the biggest project we do,” said Skinner.

Warsaw Mayor Joe Thallemer stated it was an exciting first day in office for his second term, as word was received the Buffalo Street Project has the potential to make the list for the  Northeast Regional City, due to the position of the project. Bidding on the infrastructure is expected by midsummer. “The timeline is in align with the project ready to roll,” he said, adding time and work will need to be spend convincing the regional city initiative it is a worthwhile project. While the exact details of when funding will be available, the Buffalo Street project will happen with or without the regional city funding, stated Thallemer.

Skinner noted other projects may include the lift station at the tech park as two years remain on the five-year agreement to complete the project. Work is also underway to get the shovel ready certification for the park with the state. This will allow the tech park to be included in the state marketing program.

Additional projects include the CR 300N side path and bridge. “We’d like to get construction started this year,” said Skinner. That side path would connect the area to the school, industry, commercial and residential. Construction on the bridge could also begin. “We know what we need to do, it is a matter of doing it.”

Another potential project is resurfacing CR 300N west from CR 150N, which is now gravel. He stated he will be meeting with the city street department to see what is the best solution. CR 300N belongs to the city to CR 200W.

Demolition of a portion of the Gatke building is also on the list of potential projects. Funds are available to begin demolition of the most dangerous portions of that building. Continued marketing efforts of the Tech Park, work on Husky Trail and the Eastern TIF District are also planned.

During the election of officers, Tim Meyer was elected president, and Richard Snodgrass re-elected vice president. Snodgrass was thanked for taking over the presidency following the death of Charlie Smith in October.

Other business included announcing the redevelopment commission will be meeting at 4 p.m. the first Monday of each month, instead of noon, except for July and September at which time the meetings will be moved to the second Mondays.

Claims were approved for:

• Troyer Group, $605 on the Mariners Drive Project
• Clevenger Insurance, $500, bond payment for board members
• Medtronic Bond Payment, $113,500
• Indiana Economic Development Association Foundation, $250 for participation in a statewide TIF project study.
• Regions Bank Bond – Warsaw Commons, $60,309.38
• Huntington National Bank – Warsaw PVD Bond No. 1, $140,141.25
• Huntington National Bank – Warsaw PVD Bond No. 2, $22,685
• Huntington National Bank – Warsaw PVD Bond No. 3, $7,485
• Troy Reith Appraisal Service, $400 for appraisal of property at 805 E. Market Street.