An agreement has been approved to find out what land can be developed at the Crawfordsville Commerce Park, which is running out of space.
The Board of Public Works and Safety on Wednesday accepted the agreement between the City of Crawfordsville and Daria Horticulture and Environmental, a consulting company that will map out wetlands and streams in the park.
Their report will help economic development officials determine how much remaining land can be marketed to potential investors. The city will pay a flat fee of $3,800 for the services.
The park, which took years to be developed, will be full if a “handful” of projects come to fruition, Mayor Todd Barton said in his State of the City address in January.
In other business, the board approved a resolution reviewing and completing the city’s COVID-19 small business relief program. The program gave more than $250,000 in one-year, interest-free loans to over 40 businesses. The loans were funded through the city’s Jobs Creation and Investment Fund.
Businesses receiving funds included restaurants, hair salons, antique and gift stores, dentist offices and eyecare clinics.
“I think everybody on that list is still in business, as far as I know,” Barton said.
The board also approved an agreement to refund a deposit paid to the city by Ratcliff Inc. for asphalt work at the Diamond Ridge subdivision off Traction Road. The deposit for phase one and two of the subdivision totaled $136,475.
“That’s just money that was collected in advance because [crews] did not put that final coat of asphalt on until after the homes were completed, so they gave us the money up front,” said Brandy Allen, director of the city’s Department of Planning & Community Development.
“We just held it to ensure that [the work was completed],” Allen added.
In remaining business, the board:
• Approved a request from fire chief Scott Busenbark to declare a 2002 Dodge Neon and a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix as surplus. Both vehicles are valued at $500.
• Approved a request from code enforcement officer Barry Lewis for the street department to mow the property at 414 S. Washington St. owned by Chris Davis.
