48 rental development possibly in Ferdinand’s future
The Town Council of Ferdinand learned a local business was exploring the development of multi-family rental units inside the
town.
New housing has been identified by local economic development groups and municipalities as a major factor in attracting the workforce needed to fill the jobs recently announced in Ferdinand.
Brad Brosmer, owner of Superior Insulation, approached Councilwoman Deb Johnson to gauge the interest the council might have in extending a tax abatement to his company in developing plans for a two-phase project that could mean up to 48 rentals for the town.
Town Attorney Bill Shaneyfelt said that the existing abatement schedule that is used to apply to businesses that want to expand and
offer jobs could be used for this project, too. The difference would be that the abatement wouldn’t be as significant as it is for the larger manufacturers.
Brosmer says that he is working with Universal Design in Ferdinand on project plans for the units. He also told the council that the number of units that he would build is dependent upon demand – but could be up to 48.
The Council voted to start up their Economic Development Commission and have three members appointed to work on the details of the plan and other economic development issues.
Council President Ken Sicard says that the town will do what it can to assist. He stated, “There’s some residential tax abatement we can take a look at and if it gets us going and gets some things started, then we’re going to do what we can to follow through and help out.”
Next, the Council opened bids for the 2014 Street Projects. The low bidder of the four submitted was from J. H. Rudolph Co, Evansville, at $79,417.80 with an Alternate One bid amount of $7,879.95.
Street Superintendent Tom Lueken liked the lower bid amounts and said, “Once again, they surprised me. They came in lower than what my budget number was so, I’m very pleased with the way the bids came in.”
The Council voted to accept the low bid from Rudolph pending a review by Attorney Shaneyfelt and Lueken.
The council also took the following actions.
– The small AM Radio transmitters for the north and south ends of town has been approved and a grant issued. It should be in place and functional by the end of August.
– The phosphorus water project is moving along and will have engineers sign off on changes to the project. The council will also
need to sign a contract on the work.
– None of four contractors contacted to bid on Sewer Clarifier renovation project submitted bids. The council decided to re-open bidding on the project in November/December, when contractors can bid on the project and the chosen company can get it on their list of projects to be completed in the July/August 2015 time frame.
– A local property owner wants to sell the town a small parcel of property on East 15th Street next to the Town Park as a possible
future expansion. The council cited a lack of a comprehensive plan to make such a decision and the fact that the land was not quite ideal for making an addition to the park a desirable goal.
– The budget-planning meeting has been set for July 31 at 6 a.m. at the Ferdinand Town Hall. Town Manager Chris James reported that all budgets have been submitted from all departments and are ready for review.
