The City of Warsaw Redevelopment Commission discussed the prospect of doing a comprehensive marketing study at its Monday, March 6, meeting. From left are Jeremy Skinner and Tim Meyer.

By Caleigh Byrer
InkFreeNews

WARSAW — The City of Warsaw Redevelopment Commission discussed the prospect of entering a marketing contract to generate local retail sales at its Monday, March 6, meeting.

“We’ve got Fort Wayne and South Bend siphoning our retail sales just because they have things that we don’t. … There is tens of millions of dollars in the balance, it’s significant,” said Community and Economic Development Director Jeremy Skinner.

The contractor the commission is considering to do a marketing study on the city provided a quick analysis of the current market in Warsaw for them to consider.

The commission has discussed a marketing study in the past, but this contractor’s approach has piqued their interest further. The study will include an analysis of the existing retail in-depth and a survey of the community, with the contractor willing to work closely with the commission throughout the process.

The comprehensive study will also provide statistics to indicate where the areas in need of focus are. Based on the analysis, the contractor will provide a list of retail establishments that would adequately “fill the gaps.”

The commission did not disclose the cost of the proposed contract as they believe it can be negotiated, but stated it was still a large investment.

The contract is for three years, but the agreement is renewed annually so the commission has the option to terminate the contract after each year. Skinner said the reason the contract is set up this way is to ensure they have enough time allotted to see results.

Mayor Joe Thallemer was in attendance at the meeting and suggested the commission meet with the contractor prior to entering an agreement.

The commission gathered they would like more information and to continue discussion on the agreement.

In other business, the commission approved an amendment to their economic development agreement with Matthews LLC to include the costs of demolition of property, phase one and phase two of the environmental study and an asbestos remedy that was done during the demolition.

Skinner noted the agreement held they would only paid for work that would have been done regardless of who the developer is.

The commission also approved a change order regarding the airport lift station project in the amount of $174, 312.99. The total cost is subject to change as it is based on trash removal estimates.

In other business, the commission approved the following claims:

• $2,584 for ongoing engineering work
• $2,897.60 for ongoing engineering work
• $18,170 for BakerTilly services
• $75 regarding parcel 5 in the Anchorage Road project
• $1,448 for six signs in the tech park
• $159,574.31 for work done by Matthews LLC
• $360 to Times-Union
• $43.44 to Times-Union

The next City of Warsaw Redevelopment Commission meeting will be held at 4 p.m. Monday, April 10, at Warsaw City Hall in the Council Chambers.