By Sophie Pappas
Two groups that haven’t let the snow and wintry mix slow down progress this year are the Redevelopment Commission and the Economic Development Commission of Zionsville.
According to Town Manager Ed Mitro, the RDC’s area of jurisdiction is the Zionsville Redevelopment/TIF area. The EDC’s area of jurisdiction is all of Zionsville.
“The RDC deals with the business side of things, and its members discuss certain pieces of land and buildings,” said EDC Commissioner Bryan Brackemyre. “The EDC group deals with more of the marketing and how we can attract businesses to Zionsville.”
Brackemyre is currently the Executive Director of the Boone County Economic Development Commission, a separate nonprofit group, in addition to holding a seat on the Zionsville EDC.
He said the EDC’s main goal for 2014 is to address the market and parking study completed in Dec. 2013. This study surveyed all of the concerns facing downtown.
“We are looking at the needs of businesses downtown and ways to increase vibrancy,” he said. “We also need understand and solve the parking problem.”
Focused on restructuring and bringing more businesses to town in hopes of lessening the tax gap, these groups are working to mold Zionsville into a prosperous place with jobs and growth opportunities.
On Jan. 13, the RDC approved a purchase agreement with Indianapolis retailer Hat World, Inc., to position the company’s headquarters on the 16-acre lot inside Creekside Corporate Park. Hat World is expected to pay more than $577,000 for the property and invest nearly $22 million into the building.
Business deals such as this are exactly what the RDC stands for.
“All of the advisory groups in Zionsville really have the same ultimate goal,” Brackemyre said. “We want to increase the value and livability in town. And we are all used to advising the town council on what it should do.”
Redevelopment Commission
Meets at 6:30 p.m. the last Monday of the month in the Community Room of Town Hall
Focused on restructuring existing spaces for commercial businesses
Members include Craig Anderson, Katie Culp, Bradley Johnson, Luke Phenicie and Mark Plassman
Economic Development Commission
Meets at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of the month in the Community Room of Town Hall
Focused on attracting new commercial businesses and marketing
Members include Robert Goodman, Kent Abernathy, Carol Marquiss, Tammy Kelly and Bryan Brackemyre