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Lafayette Square Area Concerned about Speedway's Plan
(posted Feb 28)
The discussion to close Georgetown Road between 16th and 25th Street and
its effect on the Lafayette Square Area never really blossomed at the Lafayette
Square Area Coalition's Feb 24th meeting.
LSAC President Mary Clark invited Speedway Redevelopment Commission Executive
Director Scott Harris to make a presentation to the coalition members after
she learned about the road's vacation at the Greater Garden City Civic
Association meeting in December. Clark expressed concern during that meeting
that the Georgetown closure would have adverse effect on the area.
Harris did not mention Georgetown Road until about 10 minutes into his
presentation, when he said that Georgetown Road would be closed for the
creation of a linear park. "We are working on the plans for the Georgetown
linear park and will be addressing those issues in the next six months."
He referred to Georgetown Road as part of the "controversial aspect"
of the plan, but stated the road needs to be closed for security issues.
He showed a map of a proposed buffer zone surrounding the entire IMS.
He said the closure would not have a negative impact on the peripheral
roads of High School Road, Lynhurst Drive, Tibbs, 10th, 30th, 34th and
38th Streets. "It's not like it is a strong north south corridor itself,"
noting Georgetown Road stops at 16th Street.
Harris focused on the proposed route of Holt Road as the solution to a
north-south connector problem. He said meetings are being conducted for
the extension of Holt Road to 30th and onto Guion Road, as well as looking
at different alternatives to develop a dollar amount. Harris said Clark
and State Representatives Jeb Bardon and Greg Taylor have been involved
in conversations pertaining to Holt Road.
Susan Luebbert of Speedway Monogramming said "it was not a well thought
out plan," because its displaces some businesses, including hers,
by rerouting Dry Run Ditch through her property.
She also indicated that school zones are involved with diverting traffic to Lynhurst Drive.
One member said she drives Lynhurst daily and the six school zones do not
slow her down. She was pleased to hear that the road would be expanded
to four lanes when eventually connecting to Moller Road.
District 15-City Councilor Doris Minton-McNeill was concerned the ditch relocation would effect the watershed.
Harris responded that it was approved by IDEM that included mitigation plan on Little Eagle Creek and that the permit approval also requires monitoring.
Former Wayne Township Assessor Mike McCormack questioned the assessed valuation
growth with the plans to attract museums and educational facilities. He
thinks it will place a bigger burden on taxpayers.
Harris disagreed and said the assessed valuation will increase significantly even with the conservative figures.
He said the educational facility will pay property taxes because the universities will just lease the space. Harris said the museums will not increase the assessed valuation, but tourists would spend money in the area to create a balance.
McCormack disagreed. Tax exempt properties are assessed and new tax exempt properties will increase the assessed valuation for the town, even though they will not be paying property taxes. The property owners of the educational facilities can apply for lease exempt status and avoid property taxes since they are housing educational institutions. McCormack was concerned this cautionary detail is not being conveyed to the taxpayers.
McCormack explained it is the property taxpayers that will be faced with
a higher tax rate to cover the taxes on the tax exempt properties for their
assessed valuations. He wanted to remind Speedway residents what happened
to them when Allison took its $99 million personal property tax abatement
in 2005. The assessed valuation remained on the rolls even though Allison
was abated from paying. The net result raised everyone's property taxes
to cover the taxes not collected in the abatement.
Harris said appraisals were being obtained for the 16th Street corridor and roundabout.
Survey stakes for the 16th Street realignment have been placed in the Speedway
Industrial Park and Dry Run Ditch.
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