[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6344468,"mediaKeyId","2250848-7bf7eef4cd4170b5e1ef59f67bc04ad6","parentId",2250848,"title","Michigan City redevelopment commission hears Baker Tilly update showing healthy TIF collections, new allocation areas","audioSeconds",192,"startMs",551000,"endMs",743000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250848-7bf7eef4cd4170b5e1ef59f67bc04ad6&start=551&end=743","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250848-7bf7eef4cd4170b5e1ef59f67bc04ad6/thumbnail_551000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6344468/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Michigan-City-redevelopment-commission-hears-Baker-Tilly-update-showing-healthy-TIF-collections-new-allocation-areas","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344468-a27460bdfd2e752b1765f2415dff3f5a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198936&Signature=PXtF1-kOofZLSa5ihpvTB57b1hAeS0LDRcVrMUqFN7iYhBjjDwlh~MrbHBFThLhjZCHsXRctvODQsH2VFzTOA~1ehiHIWpJ3XVOtqQ0XnQF2ZcyJT4XgSQ9IfO5mZmh8X3QjhEPWWHg3n9QDPTsLpCz2c83-ibpPCKfcFae25UglnOEPxFA5FLNamid7NZrL~UH8I6gyK83SUepOKpScf0QP3hVoop9arVE-kwIMja5GloEKzCpLC5n0a2GNDwIWAOZjzfUDxtI40UOho1OCLfX6Wm597QZGm60sHsIPgLsQMrNxPqGNJIdPLzd-Jr3seXRGZ0giBc6iE5193cAIdA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Michigan City, IN","date","2025-02-09T08:14:37.243Z","article","Andy Mouser, a consultant with Baker Tilly, gave the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission its annual tax-increment financing (TIF) update at the Feb. 6 meeting, reporting stable collections across the city’s consolidated TIF areas and outlining how upcoming expirations and new allocation areas will affect future revenue.

The presentation showed combined collections of roughly $7.5 million in 2024 for the North Side, South Side and Station Block allocation areas, with an estimate of about $7.7 million for 2025. Mouser said the North Side area collected about $4,368,000 in 2024 (the 2024 estimate had been $4,317,000) and the South Side collected about $3,230,000 (versus a $3,185,000 estimate). The consultant projected modest growth in 2025 for both areas.

Mouser said the Station Block/mixed‑use transit allocation area, established in 2023 for the Flaherty & Collins Station Block project, is expected to begin generating TIF revenue in 2027. “Flaherty and Collins has agreed to pay $814,000 beginning in 2027,” Mouser said, adding that the developer payment will increase by 2% annually. Mouser also noted that the city consolidated several older allocation areas in 2023, giving the commission additional flexibility for spending between former North and South TIF boundaries.

Why it matters: several long‑running TIF components begin to expire after 2028; Mouser told commissioners this will return a substantial assessed value to the general tax base. He said the combined North and South expirations will return about $175 million in assessed value after tax year 2028, which he framed as a one-time infusion to the city’s overall tax base and an intended result of TIF policy.

The presentation included a review of outstanding debt tied to particular allocation areas and the interest rates on that debt. Mouser said many existing bonds carry low, locked-in interest rates (examples cited included rates roughly 1.25%–3% on several issuances) and that several debt obligations are scheduled to be repaid through 2027–2028, which will reduce debt service as older TIF components expire.

Mouser also described a 2024 loan obtained through the Indiana Finance Authority’s residential infrastructure program for Northside sewer improvements; he said the loan’s interest rate was locked at 2.43%. Skyler (Staff member) told the commission that Michigan City anticipates receiving the first direct payments from the state under a transportation development district (TDD) arrangement this year and that the city has set up the necessary accounts with the state comptroller for those receipts.

Mouser closed by listing potential future projects where TIF or other financing might be applied, including additional station-block work, site development around Pine Street, Marquette Mall site opportunities and a proposed Town Center Drive road extension.

Commissioners and members of the public asked questions about how TIF reduces the citywide tax rate, the timing of expirations and whether the commission will create new, smaller project-based allocation areas rather than renewing large consolidated areas. Mouser and staff cautioned that some expirations are mandated by state rules and that future policy choices will determine whether new allocation areas are used for individual projects.

Commissioners did not take formal action on the presentation; it was delivered as an informational annual requirement.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Michigan City Redevelopment Commission February 6, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Andy Mouser, a consultant with Baker Tilly, gave the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission its annual TIF update on Feb. 6, reporting roughly $7.5 million in combined TIF collections for 2024 and projecting modest growth for 2025.","taxTitle","Michigan City, LaPorte County, Indiana","taxId",12510,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344448,"Redevelopment commission signals support for $95,000 MOU with city vector‑control for lot maintenance; MOU to return for March vote",342,3123000,3465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250848-7bf7eef4cd4170b5e1ef59f67bc04ad6&start=3123&end=3465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250848-7bf7eef4cd4170b5e1ef59f67bc04ad6/thumbnail_3123000.jpg","/articles/6344448/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Redevelopment-commission-signals-support-for-95000-MOU-with-city-vectorcontrol-for-lot-maintenance-MOU-to-return-for-March-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344448-900cc0dd9568501f89d61af7e1f20732/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198936&Signature=YRtIaj0KoxQMuF1BU6bnUUc0L~g6VC-BM2NDxlqxfwnNY0yci4248CCub70yXlbzYH7JCpudkp3-Bls1fxr7V67ERrGTk~9rPoqHf1kNnXutqv7mGQuzHrDilqsrrUmvkHwjSmU-SvdOyymYeYwzzoZnz7mJLIQ6FzmzUnAZOyCXWHKVG7KiwNAedlsPgz3vYn65QmdDSF66Ocr2BiNHraayirrlmceu~2tx7VE8rp2KA38gGeBAlE4Ekfh2kKrnlyRalY~YE5m6c1ZKVbUYIzA1U6raFJ7Bhl1HL4Jiy2BldV6jIKABf3a4DrLvA5aDIB4sjhbJAq19IcctL8sx9g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the Feb. 6 meeting the commission discussed continuing the memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the city’s vector‑control/maintenance crews to provide mowing and caretaking for redevelopment commission properties. Staff said the city performed well under a pilot last year and requested a $95,000 allocation for the coming season to expand services and cover additional parcels the commission will manage.

The director (unnamed in the record) described successful first‑year operations and noted the program provides seasonal employment and potential entry pathways into city jobs. Commissioners expressed support for continuing and expanding the arrangement and asked staff to prepare the formal MOU for commission approval at the March meeting. The director said legal counsel (Amber LePage) would prepare the draft.

No formal vote was taken on Feb. 6; the commission’s consensus to proceed will be memorialized in draft documents and returned for formal approval with budget and contract language in March.","Commissioners gave consensus support to draft a memorandum of understanding committing $95,000 for vector‑control/city crews to manage mowing and caretaking of RDC lots; staff will prepare the formal MOU and bring it back for a March vote.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344453,"Sola solar project moves toward spring start; Eleventh Street Station garage and tower show construction progress",289,2648000,2937000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250848-7bf7eef4cd4170b5e1ef59f67bc04ad6&start=2648&end=2937","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250848-7bf7eef4cd4170b5e1ef59f67bc04ad6/thumbnail_2648000.jpg","/articles/6344453/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Sola-solar-project-moves-toward-spring-start-Eleventh-Street-Station-garage-and-tower-show-construction-progress","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344453-0eb2e44fbe19b202dce87060330fb161/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198936&Signature=aWBB5fmMeuGHhf1Lv4WXHL88w46epKymWtgXqQf00-hvctu1t6RzrmhT5bjr0F5maXXCALjq4CSsvo3yiH9RdyiYBgjdsT9p432SSXN750TOceaFANNARCOu2-YgN2LNnskJm~0ljAkz0y8etJphI7CcgzFdNzdXtOyhcAPpwxS17TPbBunafJLEkZ2y0-~SPQu28F0SiZugN1DmOza1dWh-YvvDDcL~5NMixTMpxIi28kuyzCKrPjH-wGFMyF~KSNJVYhpYFfmT4jdDwU5l13kGi5-vQDj258o0eHAd-tgG7g1qbZ5EtNzZKFmG2uBQSJEHr2ryLZdelxjwCsu8mA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners received updates on two development sites at the Feb. 6 meeting: the Sola solar project and the Eleventh Street Station garage and residential tower.

Sola solar project: Skyler (Staff member) said the city and developers held an organizational meeting with utility departments and NIPSCO. Skyler noted NIPSCO has relocated a large gas line from the middle of the Sola lot to Michigan Boulevard, and staff and utilities are coordinating the design and timing of utility relocations. Skyler said Sola has until June 30 to break ground under the specified timeline and that the developer indicated an intention to begin construction in May. \"They're telling me they are intending to break ground in May,\" Skyler said.

Eleventh Street Station garage and tower: Commissioner Sheila Brozematias reported an on-site visit and said the garage is progressing, with striped parking spaces and poured concrete floors visible; the courtyard construction and historic terracotta façade work on the tower are also underway. Brozematias said elevators have been a schedule issue but that developer representatives told the commission they hope to meet a revised completion target of May 1 (with possible earlier completion in April). \"They might be able to do it earlier,\" she said.

No formal actions were taken on either update; staff will continue to coordinate permitting, utility relocations and contractor schedules and return to the commission if substantive approvals are required.","Staff reported utility relocation plans for the Sola solar site and said the developer intends to break ground in May; commissioners also heard that the Eleventh Street Station garage is nearing completion and the residential tower is rising, with a latest completion target of May 1.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344458,"Commission debates façade‑grant ‘look‑back’ period; staff to draft revised rules",215,2095000,2310000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250848-7bf7eef4cd4170b5e1ef59f67bc04ad6&start=2095&end=2310","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250848-7bf7eef4cd4170b5e1ef59f67bc04ad6/thumbnail_2095000.jpg","/articles/6344458/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Commission-debates-façadegrant-lookback-period-staff-to-draft-revised-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344458-4a0a52ad310a9f5b7e7fdc11fc647c11/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198936&Signature=bRDLsQz~o7C18e3Hke3vCbSbqR-ylPtQ3lKaGWWo4KdZCCWxFU-sy1nzEAehY0QYYfuqKRNIW9v2u0Vb4yWNsXmLMDe22Jd~riOL1yiJK7hPuJUsNMt-5QI8CL~DFO7BGAzjQLrs~hpvNBZ0H5POAu5ZM1DaX1f4VC9yW0J09AdIE6cWeXm5wGHC7HH7U7Vc7KfgXak9rnoEK8XfPGpy1vaD5PPAgNuaJX9lnt5qwUpuoFJgVXxkZM9RG0UswajtFgglr6~QU2oRkzs6xdLYmOBbdmH~qwzK~gZ9TujRndDHmRyvIWgi-ldD~9hgMokCx3QwmzCnJ9E6T7ItBbit8Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission discussed modifications to the façade grant program at its Feb. 6 meeting, focusing on how far back the commission should allow reimbursements for completed work in newly added TIF areas.

Legal counsel and staff summarized the background: the commission expanded TIF boundaries in 2023 and later extended a façade grant program into the newly added boulevard area. Some property owners — represented in the meeting by Hearts and Hands Preschool — completed improvements during the interval between expansion and the formal availability of the program and have requested retroactive consideration.

Alan (Legal counsel) said he prepared draft language to allow a look‑back period and that commissioners at the previous meeting had informally suggested a two‑year look‑back. He summarized the proposed rule: to be eligible for retroactive reimbursement, work must have included permits and active construction or completed qualifying work on or after Oct. 10, 2021 (as drafted for a two‑year window) or, alternatively, tied to the TIF expansion start date of Oct. 2023 if the commission prefers that trigger. \"If you are going to agree with the two‑year look back period, you need to make a motion to approve that tonight,\" he said, while noting the commission could adopt a different period.

Members raised competing concerns. One commissioner (identified in the record as Mayor) said the intent when the TIF expansion and façade tool were created was to start the program from the TIF effective date (Oct. 2023) and give applicants a fixed window to submit applications so the commission would not be faced with claims many years later. Other commissioners argued a limited retroactive window would be fair where applicants undertook work during the short lag between program expansion and final administrative rules.

No final motion was adopted. The commission asked staff to draft written program rules reflecting the discussion — including a recommended start date, an application-processing window and documentation requirements for any eligible retroactive work — and to return the revised narrative and program materials at the next meeting for formal consideration.

The discussion made clear the commission intends to preserve the program’s original purpose (historic-preservation and façade improvement in targeted areas) and to document eligibility criteria so future retroactive requests are handled consistently.","The commission discussed whether facade‑grant reimbursements should cover work performed back to Oct. 2023 or a two‑year look‑back; commissioners asked staff to draft formal program rules and bring them back for consideration.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6344463,"Votes at a glance: Michigan City Redevelopment Commission approves minutes, claims, financial report, appraisals and seasonal pop-up use",226,2898000,3124000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2250848-7bf7eef4cd4170b5e1ef59f67bc04ad6&start=2898&end=3124","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2250848-7bf7eef4cd4170b5e1ef59f67bc04ad6/thumbnail_2898000.jpg","/articles/6344463/Michigan-City/LaPorte-County/Indiana/Votes-at-a-glance-Michigan-City-Redevelopment-Commission-approves-minutes-claims-financial-report-appraisals-and-seasonal-pop-up-use","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6344463-af5441d5b21be0cc5e4d7c0ac342f92c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771198936&Signature=QA2qCLHrA7gMPgedf~sk-sZtO1wGrsmAMQA1I4FraC3JNuBB-oarH9Jf5LOYKW~4A0H6TsmVuoi2QBwgj7UnwXfCG5kPdUOXMvn9eRTDqSKq4BMWQHNNwhEJ38U7zb8A7n-duSXZKYjE2SHbNxGsK6R-pZUdKTcFY55OrIQX0dKlC66COXUe0XigaJUfcrNT4J0Z1fH2xZYsW0eCAnf8QSYWnpuoi92amGRXN-vL4RpDNRkEykGxXjbDvZE3A7Z1VX1aXtkT-wggQOXIZszEWdTJ0sykeWkbd85Ux3ho-zIunlB5tLKea8uUDQ7tq3CqCaEhWMLJ6hhbM2Z9KcX0tg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Michigan City Redevelopment Commission took several formal actions during its Feb. 6 meeting; commissioners voted to approve minutes, claims, the financial report, four appraisals and the seasonal use of a downtown plaza for a youth pop-up program.

Minutes and procedure: The commission approved two sets of minutes — the Jan. 13 executive session and the Jan. 13 regular hybrid meeting — by voice vote; no nays were recorded and the motion carried.

Claims docket: The commission approved a claims docket described in the meeting as totaling $1,409,787.21. Staff summarized large items included in the docket: payroll, CDBG reimbursables, legal retainers, consultant work, facade grant final payments and disbursements tied to the 2023 mixed‑use transit bond construction account. A public commenter asked how the claims would be paid given an operating account balance of about $166,357.55; staff explained the payments are drawn from and tracked across multiple TIF accounts and that some disbursements (for example, the Flaherty & Collins draw) are bond‑funded and pass through the commission’s accounts.

Financial report: The commission approved the financial report dated Dec. 30, 2024 (presented as a 12/31/2024 report in meeting discussion). Staff reported cash balances across multiple accounts, including an operating account balance of $166,357.55 and various TIF capital and reserve accounts; total assets were cited at about $15,207,498.56.

Appraisals: The commission voted to authorize legal counsel to commission appraisals for four parcels owned by the city within the North TIF area, citing the statutory requirement for appraisal when property is conveyed or accepted between government entities.

Seasonal pop-up permit: Commissioners approved a motion allowing Butterpreneurs (referred to in the meeting as “Kidpreneurs” or “KitPreneurs”) to use the plaza at Seventh and Franklin for first‑Friday pop-up shops from May through October 2025.

Votes and tallies: All listed motions were approved by voice vote; no nays were recorded in the meeting audio. The meeting record shows some commissioners absent for roll call; the outcomes were announced as carried when the commission heard unanimous “aye” responses.

Follow-up: The approved appraisal work and the mowing/land-care memorandum of understanding (MOU) discussed later in the meeting will return to the commission for subsequent action and contract approval where required.","At its Feb. 6 meeting the Michigan City Redevelopment Commission approved minutes from Jan. 13 (executive session and regular meeting), a claims docket totaling $1,409,787.21, the 12/31/2024 financial report, commission of four appraisals and a seasonal pop-up permit for a youth entrepreneurship program.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Michigan City redevelopment commission hears Baker Tilly update showing healthy TIF collections, new allocation areas

Redevelopment commission signals support for $95,000 MOU with city vector‑control for lot maintenance; MOU to return for March vote

Sola solar project moves toward spring start; Eleventh Street Station garage and tower show construction progress

Commission debates façade‑grant ‘look‑back’ period; staff to draft revised rules

Votes at a glance: Michigan City Redevelopment Commission approves minutes, claims, financial report, appraisals and seasonal pop-up use