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MDC Approves Closing Grande Avenue
(posted 6.19.09)
The eight month ordeal to vacate Grande Avenue is finally over. Department
of Metropolitan Development Public Information Officer John Bartholomew
said they "Don't have a time line on when it will be."
The Gasoline Alley Business Association lost its appeal with the Metropolitan
Development Commission on June 17 with a 6-0 vote. One member recused herself
from the hearing.
Merri Anderson of the Greater Garden City Civic Association led the charge in fighting the petition during the Plat Committee's hearing and approval on May 13. Anderson appealed the ruling, which brought the petition before the MDC. According to GABA member Charlie Patterson, the association does not plan to challenge the MDC's decision.
The MDC was not willing to grant remonstrators a continuance requested
by attorney Greg Zubek. Zubek stated he just received the case and needed
time to look it over. He cited a 31 page document that Allison submitted
on May 13 that remonstrators had no chance to exam prior to the Plat Committee's
hearing.
Attorney Tim Ochs, representing Allison Transmission, objected to the remonstrators'
request for a continuance, saying it was "self-imposed" by hiring
an attorney on short notice. He said the petition had been filed in October,
so the remonstrators had sufficient time to seek counsel. The MDC granted
Ochs a continuance on May 20 without having the petition on the docket,
but Zubek was informed by the DMD his request for an automatic continuance
could not be granted because it was given during the Plat Committee hearing.
Allison Public Relations Officer Eric Dickerson told the commission that
Allison was not asking for government assistance, nor would the company
ask for assistance in the future. "I can tell you this. If we gain
your support to close that road, you will empower us to strengthen our
business and we will not have to come before you, before Congress or any
other governmental body and ask for assistance of any type."
Allison received a $99 million personal property tax abatement in 2006 that caused an increase in taxes to many Speedway homeowners. Former Wayne Township Assessor Charlie Spears attended the April 10, 2006 town council meeting to explain Allison's abatement after a number of
residents complained about tax increases.
The Speedway Redevelopment Commission relies on Allison's abatement roll
off as part of its tax increment revenue stream.
Zubek's argument centered around public interest and benefit. Zubek argued
the vacation should not solely benefit a corporate entity, the Town of
Speedway, or its redevelopment commission.
Zubek summed his case by saying "In conclusion, what we really have
is a non-governmental entity that is attempting to take property by this
vacation, and it's going to pay some $25,000 for it."
State Representative Phil Hinkle wanted the road to remain open, and asked
the commission to vacate Grande only after the 10th Street realignment
occurs. He said that Wayne Township Schools had not taken an official position,
but the superintendent called the closing a "grave inconvenience".
The vacation is from south of the Speedway Gas Station to Rybolt. Allison
has agreed to build a cul-de-sac, install a $20,000 security camera system
and donate land they value at $150,000 for the proposed Holt Road alignment
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