By Paul Wyman
Guest Columnist
March 04, 2008 08:14 pm
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Since I voted no for additional tax dollars to be spent on another study for the Continental Steel site, I thought I would take a few moments and explain at least 10 of my reasons for the no vote.
First, the county does not have title to the property. The county has tried to tax sale this site several times from the current owner, and nobody has shown up once to bid $1. The county has had several opportunities to take title from the current owner after those sales and has chosen not to. For good reason – liability!
Second, the site is still 40 to 50 percent contaminated. There is much work to be done long before the site can be utilized in the manner presented in the proposal. In fact, in one corner alone, the projected cost is $1.4 million!
Third, there was a study completed several years ago on the site at a cost of $100,000. The city is in possession of that study. It clearly states the recommended reuses for the site, and the proposed park seems to be the best option. I did not want to spend tax dollars to be told the same thing twice.
Fourth, the City of Kokomo said no thanks to participate in the study. The city has already spent money to implement a park on the site. I have supported that reuse plan. The site has been remediated to recreational standards.
Fifth, you are not going to attract 55 businesses to a former Superfund site, as the proposal suggests. Have you seen the commercial vacancy in retail shops in our community? The current study even suggests these businesses, other than small businesses that support a neighborhood, will locate to the higher traffic areas, not Continental. Interestingly, the minute this ground is sold to for-profit businesses, the government has the right to place liens against those businesses for the $80 million cleanup. What small business owner wants that?
Sixth, there are many places that have not been soil bored and tested for contamination. In fact, the large areas where the buildings were have not been tested. These areas are in the middle of the supposed “clean” areas. The new proposal may come back and say to build there. Then the county will have to pay thousands upon thousands of dollars for expensive tests to find out if there is contamination. If so, back to the drawing boards at additional costs. Here is another important aspect. Even though 50 percent of the site may be “clean,” it’s not like there is a line drawn down the middle and one side is clean and the other is not. The contamination is on pockets all over the site, making it more difficult to justify commercial development.
Seventh, the creek is still receiving contamination from Pete’s Run. They do not know where it is coming from and probably will not make an effort to find out. They do plan to put a catch basin in to catch the oil, but not stop the source. This will only further delay any use of the land along the creek.
Eighth, the land all along the creek of the proposed buildings, restaurants and boardwalk is flood plain. Who is going to build a restaurant in a flood plain, and who will issue the building permit? The example of French Lick was given at the County Council meeting. We were told of hundreds of millions that were spent developing the casino on the river there, but I am going to say that probably won’t happen here.
Ninth, if the county did take possession of the property and then sell off lots, the county may never be released from liability in the future. Not a risk I think the county should bear. Additionally, it would cost the county about $3 million or more to put in the infrastructure before the county could sell off lots.
Tenth, the area should be a park as the city planned. Plant as many trees as possible on the site, insert some trails and tie it into the Walk of Excellence. Having green space in the middle of our community is a great planning concept. Extending walking and biking trails creates another awesome amenity and brings a low cost for maintenance going forward.
The studies are done, a plan is in place and the end result of the plan means more green space, trails and ball diamonds for our families. Let’s quit wasting tax dollars on “what ifs” and put them toward end results that benefit our community.
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