Published: May 14, 2008 11:33 am         

Agreement approved for Goshen millrace cleanup

Goshen Redevelopment Commission members Tuesday approved an agreement to clean up two of the city’s river race sites.

The firm Symbiont, with offices in Indianapolis and Wisconsin, will oversee the remediation of the former Omni Source property, located at 521 1/2 S. Third St., and the former Gordy property at 317 W. Douglas St.

The cleanup of the properties is a step toward the long-term plan of city officials to have up to $20 million in new residential and commercial development constructed in the millrace canal industrial area.

In September, the commission plans to begin the process of seeking proposals from potential developers.

The contract with Symbiont is not to exceed $389,494. The agreement calls for the firm to develop and implement the environmental cleanup of the properties; maximize the attractiveness of the sites to potential developers and future buyers; to minimize the potential long and short-term costs to the city not covered by grants; and to consider concerns and preferences of community members.

A total of $400,000 in U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grants and $40,000 from state grants will fund the cleanup.

Redevelopment director Mike Puro said the top two issues that potential developers are interested in is how good the market is for the project and how friendly community members are to the project.

The millrace canal/river race redevelopment area includes nearly 20 acres of vacant and underutilized properties within two blocks of downtown. Construction of the canal began in 1867 and was completed the following year.

Over time, the manufacturing facilities located along the canal became outdated or companies went out of business. By 2000, fewer than 50 people were employed in businesses along the canal where as many as 1,000 had once worked.

In addition to approving the agreement with Symbiont, the commission voted to purchase a LaCasa-owned property at 305 S. Third St. in the amount of $80,000.

The commission, along with Mayor Allan Kauffman, also thanked Puro for all of his work as redevelopment director for the city. This is Puro’s last week of work. Next week, he will begin as town manager for Shipshewana.

“We appreciate what you’ve done. You’ve done a great job,” Commission president Tom Stump said.

His comments were echoed by commission member Laura Coyne, who said the commission could not have been more fortunate to have Puro in the position.