Plymouth City Attorney Sean Surrisi updated members of the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission Tuesday night of a variety of projects in the various TIF zones.

In TIF#1, the U.S. 30 / Oak Road area, the Hoham Drive Project continues to move forward.  Surrisi said all the right-of-way needed for the project has been purchased and the clearance forms submitted to INDOT well before the April deadline.  He said the project will go out for bid in July.   

In TIF#2, the East Jefferson and Central downtown Business District, Surrisi said bids were opened for the River Park Square phase II project.  There were five bidders, and bids are currently being reviewed.  Surrisi said at least one of the base bids was within budget, but the two alternative projects: the sensory garden and the fieldstone pillar wraps would make the project over the funds available.  He said a decision will be made at the next Plymouth Park Board meeting on February 7th. 

Funds from TIF#3, the U.S. 30 and Pine Road area will be used to help fund the $1.6 million solar project at the city’s Wastewater Treatment facility.  The Plymouth Redevelopment Commission conducted a public hearing on adding the project to the list of projects for TIF #3.   The city attorney said the Plan Commission reviewed the project and it met the goals of the city’s Comprehensive Plan.  They also noted the city had made changes to the zoning ordinance for solar and the city was designated as a Gold SolSmart community. 

Utility Superintendent Donnie Davidson said Telamon has submitted the interconnection application and they are waiting to see if NIPSCO will accept it.  Davidson also said he hasn’t received any comments from neighbors so far, but they will conduct a public meeting for the neighbors once they have all the information.

Dave Miller from VanVactor Farms agreed with the project but asked why TIF #3 is the only TIF district funding the project since it is beneficial to the entire city and the other TIF districts.

The City Attorney said they recently had Baker Tilly review TIF #3 for the proposed Veterans Parkway Project that was shot down.  He said that TIF had the most flexibility to provide the funding. 

The Plymouth Redevelopment Commission unanimously approved adding the solar project to the list of projects for TIF #3.