Municipal Pier Holds Grand Opening

- Photo by Mark Howe

Syracuse Town Council hears from depot committee;
other council reports
05/17/2007
background story in archives
 

Mark Baumgartner, co-chair of the Syracuse Train Depot Committee, and Bob Murphy of RP Murphy and Associates, a professional grant writer, asked the town to partner with the committee on saving the train depot during the council’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday.

(Photo by Lauren Zeugner)

Baumgartner explained the committee, which has met twice, wants to move and renovate the depot to its original condition. “I consider it the crown jewel of Syracuse,” Baumgartner said. Currently the depot committee is waiting to hear from CSX regarding a time frame in which to acquire the building and move it out of the rail yard.

Mark Baumgartner, co-chair of the Syracuse Train Depot Committee, and Bob Murphy of RP Murphy and Associates, a professional grant writer, asked the town to partner with the committee on saving the train depot during the council’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday.

Baumgartner explained the committee, which has met twice, wants to move and renovate the depot to its original condition. “I consider it the crown jewel of Syracuse,” Baumgartner said. Currently the depot committee is waiting to hear from CSX regarding a time frame in which to acquire the building and move it out of the rail yard.

Murphy told the council he feels a plan is needed and recommended the council send a letter of intent to pursue a $10,000 planning grant to Indianapolis. That would give the depot committee six months to hire an architect who would determine how the building would be moved, where it can go, potential uses and operations and maintenance. “It’s not fast. It takes time,” Murphy said of the procedure.
Murphy further explained the town has to be the grant applicant since community development block grants are awarded to towns and cities. The depot committee would be responsible for funding and any decisions.

Paul Stoelting, council president, asked if the town is the applicant, is it liable for matching funding? Murphy explained matching funding sources were unidentified at this time.

Murphy also said while the exterior of the depot can be put into historical concepts, the interior has changed several times and he did not expect Historic Landmarks would be detailing how the interior should look or its use.

There was a question about whether CSX would give the building up. Chad Jonsson, park superintendent, reported he wrote a letter to CSX asking for a time frame in moving the building and how much it would cost to purchase the building, but hasn’t had any response.

Baumgartner told the council at one time CSX stated publicly it would give the building away. Stoelting asked if the building will last several years while grant funding is pursued. Baumgartner admitted the roof is in bad shape. He also told the council there has been discussion on use of the building, such as a railroad museum or meeting place.

Council member Brian Woody said he had several issues with the project such as money; he asked Baumgartner if the committee had any money or has done any fundraising. Baumgartner told Woody the committee has only met twice. Woody’s other issue was the building is a major offender of the town’s building code. He claimed several of his neighbors are demanding the town do something about the depot. He also reminded the council the town was recently turned down for CDBG funds. Murphy stated he has written grants since 1976, it was how he made his living and most of the grants awarded were CDBG.

“I feel like a hypocrite, saying it can sit 18 months until $800,000 is raised when my neighbor can’t wait to fix his roof,” Woody said. “I feel like a heel.”

Baumgartner said he is an organizer, “I don’t know all the codes, that’s why Mr. Murphy is standing here. History is our background. Indiana has a very rich railroading history.” Stoelting said while he understood Woody’s point, he is willing to let the depot committee explore the possibilities of saving the depot. “I would like you to go ahead,” he said.

‘There’s a difference between trying to save a train station and a house,” said Councilman Larry Siegel, endorsing the project. “I’m thinking down the road. We already have a museum and a community center. Most of these places (restored depots) end up as retail space,” said Councilman Bill Musser, adding the building has to be made to stand out and attract people.

Councilwoman Cassie Cowan said she understood Woody’s point, but said, “This is a building no one is living in or using on a day-to-day basis or semi basis ╔ This building is not safe ╔ We have the option of moving it and restoring it or requiring CSX to secure it. Frankly I’m scared to death CSX will just tear it down ╔ and it is one of the nicest buildings in town.”

“Down the road when things are not saved and disappear, what will attract people?” asked Baumgartner. “A passenger car can be a piece of metal to someone and to another it took someone on vacation ”
Siegel stressed that any plan to save the depot has to include the town will not be financially responsible for it. In the end the council voted unanimously in favor of sending a letter of intent to Indianapolis.
The council approved a bid from Borden Wasteway for a three-year trash pickup and recycling contract for $129,736.

In the department reports, Henry DeJulia, town manager, reported he is still holding retention and expansion meetings with local industries and hopes to start a CEO/general manager round table.
He and Ken Jones met with a company interested in the new industrial park site. A meeting has been set up with Ameri-Camp, DeJulia, Jones, Elkhart Redevelopment Commission and others to kick start the annexation process to get water and sewer service out to the area. DeJulia is also working on the Forest Park annexation with engineers. He hopes to provide the council with a spread sheet within the month outlining goals. He will also talk to Forest Park residents, saying he wants to make the process as painless as possible.

The comprehensive plan outlined beautification. DeJulia has some ideas on decorative lighting, flags and plantings. He would also like to start an emergency housing program that would be part loan/part grant.
DeJulia would also like to start a retail facade program, although an area hasn’t been identified yet. The program would cover development, redevelopment, landscaping, redevelopment of the exterior and interior of a building.

DeJulia has also met with county highway officials about working with the town and with a developer interested in developing a 30-unit senior housing addition in the area. He reported CSX will be fixing the crossing on SR 13 the week of June 4. The crossing will be closed for approximately two weeks.

In the police report, it was noted the Freedom Ride and Concert went well. The records program has been purchased and will be installed sometime in June. There is one squad car painted in the retro black and white, which the officers like. There may be more painted that way. There is no word yet on if there will be a Memorial Day parade, but the police department is expecting one to be held.

In the parks report, Jonsson showed members of the council photos of a berm or mound located on the south edge of Lakeside Park that was to be landscaped. Instead it is covered with tall grass, dandelions and weeds.

Siegel asked what happened to the guarantee from the landscaper. “Didn’t we pay $7,000 for this?” he asked looking at the photos. Jonsson said the landscaper has been out twice, but there has been no satisfaction. Stoelting said, “Just put grass down and mow it,” The other council members began to chant grass, grass, grass. Stoelting then asked Jonsson how many rabbit nests he expects to find. Jonsson further reported the Syracuse Municipal Building Corp. met to oversee payment of the bonds for the community center. This is an annual meeting.

Lifeguards will be on duty starting May 26 and adult softball is in its second week.

Tom Miller from Sevren Trent reported the water improvement project is about midway complete and may be done before its October deadline. Caldwell expects the elevated water storage to be completed before the students return to Wawasee High School in the fall.
Julie Kline, clerk-treasurer, asked council members to pass on any budget ideas to DeJulia. There was some discussion on cost of living raises. It was decided to allow department heads to reallocate utility funds except fuel to salaries. Kline also commented she is seeing lots of people using the new sidewalk on Chicago Street.

A young man named Eric came before the council requesting reimbursement for his water bill. He claimed his landlord turned off the hot water in his apartment in December and the cold water in April, yet he still paid his bill.

Eric said the landlord claims there is a leak between the first and second floors of the home and expects Eric to hire a plumber to pay for it. Kline explained although the water is turned off, there was still a bill for usage.

The council told Eric it sounded like he had a civil case, especially since the building inspector condemned the apartment for not having water.

Cowan presented an example of wayfinder signs to go up on Main Street and throughout town. Woody immediately called them boring and both he and Siegel urged more money be spent on more decorative signs.

The next meeting of Syracuse Town Council will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, June 19.
 

Committee formed to save Syracuse train depot
04/14/2007
 

NEEDS TO BE MOVED — A train zips by the Syracuse train depot, located by Henry Ward Park. A committee of dedicated volunteers hopes to save the depot by moving it out of the current train yard to a new location and restoring it. Structurally the depot is in good shape, although it needs a new roof. Reports about the interior indicate it may be the original interior.

(Photo by Lauren Zeugner)

A formative meeting was held Wednesday, April 4, to save the Syracuse train depot. About 11 people attended the meeting, which was held at Syracuse Community Center.

Tom Knopp, a member of the Syracuse-Wawasee Historical Museum Board of Directors, said he would like to see the building saved, if possible.

Councilwoman Cassie Cowan said she would also like to see the depot saved if it is possible.

Mark Phillabaum, a leader for Venturing Boy Scouts and businessman, has purchased a depot in Pierceton. It is currently being used as retail space and has been very successful.

Mark Baumgartner is a train history buff. He has traveled looking for old stations and followed the restoration of the Nappanee depot. He told the group several people in Milford are also interested in saving the depot.

Kathleen and David Johnston are both interested in preserving the depot as part of Syracuse’s history.
Charlie Haffner, representing the Lions Club attended, as did Peggy Genshaw, another member of the museum board. Her husband is an avid model railroader, both love trains and believe preserving the depot is important.

Martha Stoelting from the Syracuse Park Board spearheaded the project. Also attending the meeting was Chad Jonsson, park superintendent.

Jonsson opened the meeting by telling he received an e-mail from CSX stating it is willing to give the building away as is. Genshaw asked if there is a time frame for the depot to be moved before CSX decided to just tear it down. Jonsson said CSX is willing to let the committee work on having it moved.

Stoelting said she has spoken with Congressman Mark Souder about saving the depot. A huge history buff, Souder has offered his services to work with the railroad. Jonsson said a letter is in the works stating CSX is willing to donate the depot.

Stoelting has also contacted the Historic Landmarks Foundation office in South Bend. Historic Landmarks is a a division of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. “There might be some state money that we would work with them to get, as well as National Historic Registry money,” she said.

Larry Andrews, director of the Nappanee Chamber of Commerce, has also expressed a willingness to help Syracuse preserve the depot, according to Stoelting. She also presented an estimate featuring a ballpark figure of $329,840 to move the building and restore it. Stoelting explained Jeff Noffsinger asked a local contractor with some experience in moving historic structures. The estimate did not include termination of utilities to the building.

Genshaw asked if the building has asbestos in it. Jonsson said the estimate also covers asbestos removal as well as moving the building permits. The cost is also determined by how far the depot has to be moved.
Cowan said she had two requests to move the depot to Henry Ward Park, which would be close to its original location. “I don’t think there’s room. But you do have the bass fisherman, people in and out and children’s playing there,” said Cowan. “I thought the ideal part would be just south of the Crosson Mill.” She also asked if the depot would fit where the Scout Cabin used to be in Crosson Mill Park. Stoelting said the depot would fit where the Scout Cabin was, but the park board does not want the depot in Crosson Mill as it is working on an open air pavilion with restrooms and a playground in that area.

There was some discussion about how the depot would be used. “One thing we learned doing the skate park is there is a need for a teen center,” said Stoelting. “I agree with you,” said Cowan. “When I was growing up, the youth center was the teen center. There is nothing for that pre-teen age.”

Kathleen Johnston said she thought the depot would have a more historic use. Baumgartner expressed concern about the restoration work on the depot and historic preservation. Stoelting explained the building was sound except for the roof and the contractor who provided the estimate restored The Pound Store in Oswego.

Phillabaum pointed out the depot is not very big and suggested a rail museum if the space the depot is placed has enough space for a few railcars. He suggested a possible B+O railroad museum with a visitors center.

Stoelting said there was a partial basement under the depot, which will make it easier to move.
There was some discussion as to where to put the depot. Knopp explained the park board would like to extend Crosson Mill Park to the south and place the depot there. Cowan said it should be visible from the road. Jonsson pointed out the town’s current water treatment facility on Dolan Street will be taken off line when the new treatment facility is completed and there is room there. It was pointed out that area is the original site of the train station before it moved down toward Henry Ward Park. Jonsson said he isn’t sure how the town council would feel about the idea.

Other potential ideas were also tossed around at the meeting.

Baumgartner suggested a local grant writer who assisted with raising money for New Beginnings child care in Milford.

After some further discussion about use and possible funding, it was decided Baumgartner and Phillabaum would be co-chairs of the committee with Genshaw assisting.

The next depot committee meeting will be at 6 p.m. Wednesday, April 18, at the Syracuse Community Center.

Precariously Perched
03/14/2007
 

Steve Fields, group sales manager for the Oakwood Retreat and Conference Center, Syracuse, shared this photo taken by co-worker, Brandie Hamman, banquets and conference coordinator, on Feb. 28. Titled "On Beautiful Lake Wawasee," it shows Steve inside a Lake Wawasee ice cave that was about 20 feet deep. The picture was taken by the Oakwood Inn. Steve reports, "It was scary. You could hear the ice cracking and I'm claustrophobic!"
 

BZA meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month.
 

Greater Accomplishment
03/02/2007
 

Wawasee pulled off the upset most doubted could happen, beating No. 1 South Bend St. Joseph’s 58-46 at the Elkhart Central Semi-state Saturday afternoon at NorthSide Gym.

Wawasee will face Indianapolis Brebeuf Jesuit at Conseco Fieldhouse this Saturday in a rematch of a Dec. 23 game for all the marbles. Celebrating the win are, from left, Ashlee Ort, Erin Wallace, Megan Walker, Kalyn Lantz, Shawn Knafel, Jessie Wolf and Taylor Goshert.

A pep rally was held in the Wawasee High School gym at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 1, to support the team as it prepares for state.

Photo by Mike Deak
 

Twiggs shares theme park vision
03/02/2007

Imagine the sight of a sprawling 100 acre theme park just outside the town of Syracuse. Not just a summer park, but a year round attraction.

Ron Twiggs has imagined and he is quite serious about turning it into reality.

For about one hour Thursday evening at the Syracuse Community Center, Twiggs met with a small group of 15 to 20 people to briefly outline his plans for building a major theme park in the vicinity of Syracuse. After a short computer generated video presentation showing an amusement park in England, Twiggs shared his vision.

“There are about 300 large amusement parks in the U.S.,” he noted. “It is a multibillion dollar industry. Parks are needed more for Americans today because we do have more leisure time and more money to spend on it.”

Twiggs said a theme park “will do wonders for our area” and the goal is to “revive and enlighten the entire community,” as well as all of Kosciusko County and the surrounding area.

“We already have the lakes, the condos, the businesses and restaurants,” he said. “Syracuse has the basis for starting a theme park + it’s not like we are going out in the desert to start one.”

With a $25 million price tag just to build the park, he said wants to have the first year-round theme park of its kind in the U.S. built near Syracuse on 100 acres of land. The property would also include a resort hotel, he said.

“People are just coming to Syracuse for the summer, but this will change all that,” he said. “This will give people a reason to come to town more than just during the summer.”

Twiggs, who lives near Cromwell, is a self-employed research consultant and runs the Camp Azusa youth camp just outside of Syracuse, among other things.

He said there are three pieces of property being considered for the theme park, but he would not be more specific other than giving general directions. The first choice is 100 acres of land in the northeastern part of Kosciusko County somewhere near Maxwelton Golf Course. He described the other two choices as just southwest of Syracuse and also a site on 250 acres near Lake Wawasee. Twiggs insisted Camp Azusa has never been a choice for the location of the theme park.

Apogee Attractions, which has handled work for Disney and others, has agreed to design the park, though no specifics have materialized as of yet concerning what the theme of the park will be. “That will come with time,” Twiggs said. “They (Apogee) are in love with the idea of a year-round theme park.”

Arjent, an investment company based in London but with an American division based in New York City, has agreed to finance the project, Twiggs noted. He said he will insist no tax abatements will be requested and “I want the building to be handled by local contractors and builders + we want to start generating tax dollars right away for the community.”

He noted the idea for a theme park was originally birthed in him about a dozen years ago when he was taking a walk around Boner Lake. “Quite frankly, I had a vision,” he said. “I saw something more to Syracuse than it being a small town + I started studying Syracuse and saw it has the foundation already laid for this. It’s already a resort town.”

Some in attendance at the meeting were not thrilled with the prospect of a theme park, though. One woman said “that makes my blood curl and I will fight it all the way because I don’t want to see Syracuse grow like this.” She said a better choice would be to build it in or near a big city, such as Indianapolis.

Others questioned how such a big project would affect traffic in the area as many county roads are only two lanes. They also asked if Twiggs has taken into consideration how much nearby farmers and residential areas could be affected by a mass influx of people. Others noted they moved out into the country to be away from high traffic and large numbers of people and went so far as to suggest Twiggs is being motivated purely by money.

Twiggs said he has no intentions of destroying anything, but instead wants to work with those living nearby to find reasonable solutions. “I am not going to get everything I want and neither are you,” he said. “So let’s work together on this.”

When asked what his time schedule is for the project, Twiggs said he hopes to have construction start in early 2008.

He acknowledged the challenges involved, such as money, how to structure the theme park and its exact location, which roads need to be widened or upgraded and providing sewage service. “I have been talking with the county and they are happy with the idea of upgrading and providing more sewer service,” he said.

Twiggs said after the meeting the next step in his plan will involve contacting the governor’s office in Indianapolis “to attempt to get some political energy behind me. I want to get the politicians in this area who represent the people to support this.” He will continue to meet with Apogee and Arjent to further develop his plans and also will meet with local officials, such as chambers of commerce and business leaders.

Kristi Plikerd, executive director of the Syracuse-Wawasee Chamber of Commerce, was in attendance at the Thursday meeting. She said she was there only to listen and learn and the chamber has not yet taken an official stance concerning the theme park.

Twiggs noted more public meetings will be held later. And it should be noted no one in attendance at Thursday’s meeting spoke in favor of Twiggs’ proposal
 

Syracuse Town Council -
New Town Manager Welcomed, Update on Industrial Site
02/22/2007

Paul Stoelting, president of the Syracuse Town Council, welcomed Henry DeJulia, the new town manager, at the councils regular monthly meeting Tuesday night. "I am really excited. I see lots of opportunities to work with the council and the community," DeJulia said. His first day on the job was Monday, Feb. 19.

Ken Jones of Wightman Petrie in Elkhart, gave the council an update on the proposed industrial site located at SR 13 and US 6. Jones told the council he meet with the bond council and a financial advisor to come up with some prospects for developing the property.

He outlined the best two options. Option one would have the council move forward as the developer of the property. Jones recommended bringing on the bond council and Umbaugh and Associates as financial advisors as well as the town creating a redevelopment commission which would then be allowed to set up an inter-local agreement with Elkhart County to operate and manage redevelopment of the property.

Jones explained a redevelopment commission would take the burden of developing the property off the councils shoulders. The commission would also be working with the Elkhart County Redevelopment Commission.

With option one, the council would have to market the land for development and initiate a bond process. Jones told the council the debt ratio did not support the bond issue 100 percent, but the town is in a good position to pledge future EDIT income. The town could sell parcels at the market or developed rate and use those funds to buy down the debt or sock it away for debt reserve.

Jones also suggested the town through the redevelopment commission initiate an in lieu of annexation agreement with everyone around the new water and sewer expansion, and collect an in lieu of annexation benefit fee, which could be used to establish a benefit fee fund. The council would then decide how those funds could be used, such as for a construction fund or reserve bond fund.

Since the industrial park is located in Elkhart County, an inter-local agreement with the Elkhart County Regional Sewer District will have to be entered into. Jones said the regional sewer district can assist the town with extending the sewer line into Elkhart County. The district also has the authority to compel connection to the towns waste water utility. Jones said this is another way for the town to raise money, which could be used to fund the project or maintain the sewer lines.

What he, the bond council and the financial advisors did not like about option one is it would be a self-funded project. It was felt the town should not have to go into debt or pledge EDIT income for the project.

Stoelting asked how long it would take to get the redevelopment commission and all the inter-local agreements in place. Jones estimated it would take three to six months to get all the agreements in place. Stoelting asked if there would be residential requirements for people to be on the redevelopment commission. Jones said he was unaware of any, but did tell the board redevelopment commissions for Elkhart County, Elkhart City and Goshen do not have elected officials on them, although an elected official could sit on a redevelopment commission.

Option Two

Option two would have the town enter into a public/private partnership with a developer. A redevelopment commission would have to be created and interlocal agreements entered into for this option as well. However, proposals would be made to local developers and developers would have to make competitive bids to develop the area.

Jones explained there would have to be some incentives from the town as well as a list of conditions the town expected for the project to be successful. A developer might be able to get an economic development grant for the project as well.

Once a developer is chosen, it acquires land from the town at raw land rate, basically what the town paid for the land. Some of the conditions would include developers costs reimbursed by EDIT revenue, an industrial development bond and three-year exclusive builders rights in the project area for the developer.

Jones strongly suggested there be restrictions to have property tax phase in or tax abatement. Properties should be annexed as they are built so the town can receive the in lieu of annexation fee. Jones told the council Elkhart County heavily regulates this and developers understand this is how business is done.

Jones also recommended nothing be done unless there is a viable project on the table. The attraction of option two is it redirects risk away from the town since the developer takes all the risk.

Brian Woody asked about removing the trees and putting a road on the property. Jones said there are farm lanes and he wouldn't do anything to the property. With some guidance the apple trees can be used as buffer or worked into the site plan. Developers expect to get raw land as raw land. They don't expect trees removed or roads put in, Jones told the council.

Jones presented some possible numbers for the costs of the project. Total cost is estimated at around $2.4 million if the council chooses to go with option one. Option two provides incentives for the developer to fill the area.

The council will be required to advertise the project. Stoelting asked what local meant, how far a radius around the town. Jones said someone in Indianapolis might be interested in the project.

After some brief discussion, council members told Jones they favored option two. Jones offered to update the Elkhart County Redevelopment Commission at its meeting Thursday, Feb. 22, on the project and would ask its legal council to consider an inter-local agreement. He will also bring the matter to the attention of the Elkhart County Regional Sewer District.

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