Shown attending the Syracuse Redevelopment Commission meeting via zoom are,at the top, from left, Jim Layne, redevelopment commission; Lauren Zeugner, The Mail-Journal; and Jim Higgins, London Witte. In the middle are Larry Siegel, redevelopment commission; Dennis Ott, Mckinely Bose; and Vern Landis, town attorney. At the bottom are Dr. Tom Edington, superintendent of Wawasee Community Schools; and Cory Mast, redevelopment commission member.

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Redevelopment Commission met via Zoom to address some pressing matters prior to the Syracuse Town Council’s meeting Tuesday night, Nov. 17.

The commission learned a company in interested in purchasing Lot 1 in the Syracuse Technology Park.

Town Manager Mike Noe reported there were no offers for the purchase of the Harold Schrock Athletic Complex. Dennis Ott of Bose McKinnley, a law firm assisting the town with its redevelopment projects, explained this action was part of the process of negotiate the property to Polywood. The town now has to wait 30 days per state statue before turning the property over to Polywood.

Jim Higgins of London Witte lead the commission through its annual entity meeting. Typically held in May, this meeting invites other tax entities such as the township, county, school and library to attend to learn about the commission’s plans and ask questions. Dr. Tom Edington from Wawasee Community Schools and Kim Blaha of the Syracuse Public Library attended, but did not have any questions. The meeting will shift back to May in 2021.

The commission discussed amending the Benton EDA district for the capture of business personal property taxes from Aluminum Insights. Ott explained the process will take some time as the amendment needs to be presented to the county planning committee and Syracuse Town Council before coming back to the redevelopment committee.

Higgins noted the Benton TIF would have no affect on any Kosciusko County tax entity since it’s in Elkhart County.