Warsaw Common Council approved expanding boundaries of the Warsaw Central Development Area during Tuesday evening’s meeting. The boundary expansion was approved at the Feb. 9 city redevelopment meeting.
Jeremy Skinner, city planner, presented the resolution to amend the central development area. The original district was created in the early 1990s focusing on revitalizing the downtown commercial district by improving streets, infrastructure and aesthetics in the commercial district.
The original area included the areas between the North/South Central tracks, Center Street, Canal Street and the alley between Indiana and Buffalo Streets. An expansion, completed in 2010, includes the boarder of Center Lake and Buffalo street then south along Buffalo Street to the alley south of Fort Wayne Street, then east to the alley between Buffalo street and Indiana Street, heading north along the existing boundary back to Center Lake. It was further expanded in 2011 to include all of Buffalo Street to the alley south of Center Street.
The proposed area will include property within the mixed-use redevelopment project along North Buffalo Street and property along SR 15.
The area consists of a residential and commercial mix. The proposed plan will allow for progression of the downtown service area and provide a connection to Center Lake and the park.
Key objectives include: street improvements, traffic circulation and parking needs, support rehabilitation of commercial and residential structures, future acquisition, renovation and rehabilitation of property, extend downtown street scape into the Municipal Park and continuation of sanitary storm and sewer improvements.
Project Proposals
There will be a number of properties the city will need to acquire. These include numerous properties along North and South Buffalo residential and business.
The total project cost is estimated at $4,889,395. This includes estimated costs for: land acquisition at $1,733,200 based on assessed value; site demolition, general project and new construction at $1,806.195; with the estimated cost of the park rehabilitation and construction project at $1,350,000.
The expansion of the district will focus on two major projects: improving the infrastructure and aesthetics along Buffalo Street, part of reconnecting the downtown with Center Lake and Municipal Park. This project will include improving and/or replacing any infrastructure from Main to Center, alleys east and west of Buffalo Street, Canal Street and extension of Indiana Street around the current Parks Department connecting Buffalo Street to the west. Replacing of any storm, sanitary and water mains in that area are included and rehabilitation of street, sidewalks and curbs.
The project will consist of higher density housing with a mixed use multi-story building and park space along Center Lake. Residential housing will be a mixture of single family dwellings, apartments and condominiums. The commercial area will compliment the new residential development providing a combination of space for eateries, cafes, shops and professional office space. The park will also be enhanced with public spaces.
The second project will focus on rehabilitating and expanding the current Central Park facilities including the pavilion, park office and maintenance facilities and boat ramp. The pavilion will be expanded to allow more use, a new park office and maintenance facility and relocation of the boat ramp.