The Syracuse Redevelopment Commission discussed tax abatements during a brief meeting Monday afternoon, Nov. 25. Shown clockwise from left are Mark Madinger, Don Bokhart, Nathan Scherer, David Wilkinson, Syracuse town manager, Virginia Cazier, Syracuse clerk-treasurer, and David Rosenberry, commission president. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE — The Syracuse Redevelopment Commission held a brief meeting Monday, Nov. 26, to approve an amended economic development agreement with Storie Real Estate LLC. The company recently purchased lot No. 7 in the Syracuse Technology Park.

David Wilkinson, town manager, explained the RDC had approved the economic development agreement several months ago; however, at the request of the Syracuse Town Council, some of the language in the agreement was changed, notably, the town of Syracuse replaced Elkhart County in the document.

The RDC then moved to approve 2024-25 applications for property tax deductions. Wilkinson explained the town council approved confirmatory resolutions for Storie Real Estate, which means the town will not be receiving tax increment finance dollars from the property while the tax abatement is in place.

The commission also approved an annual spending plan. This is a report sent to the state regarding how the redevelopment commission plans to spend TIF dollars. It has to be submitted before the end of the year.

Member Nathan Scherer asked members if there was a time to meet with representatives from Kendallville Blight, an organization that works to eliminate Blight in Kendallville. Scherer has met with them and believes it may be able to make some suggestions for combating blight in Syracuse. The commission chose Wednesday, Dec. 4, as a good time for them to come.

Wilkinson told the commission he expects Lot 7 in the tech park to be off the books by the end of the year. He noted the town has been trying to sell the lot for over three years. During that time, it’s had three different buyers who backed out of the deal.

The property is tricky since it has fiber optic cables running underneath it as well as a large pipeline owned by a company in Canada. The lot also has some curves to it, making it not level; however, Storie Real Estate believes it can make the property work for its needs.