Bedford Redevelopment Commission takes step to expand city's economic development area

Carol Johnson, The Times-Mail
·2 min read
The city of Bedford entered a purchase agreement to purchase the former Aldi on 16th Street for the new headquarters of the Bedford Police Department. On Wednesday, the Bedford Redevelopment Commission approved a resolution to expand the city's economic development area to include the property.
The city of Bedford entered a purchase agreement to purchase the former Aldi on 16th Street for the new headquarters of the Bedford Police Department. On Wednesday, the Bedford Redevelopment Commission approved a resolution to expand the city's economic development area to include the property.

BEDFORD — The Bedford Redevelopment Commission took the first step toward expanding the city's economic development area to include the former Aldi building, which is planned for the future headquarters of the Bedford Police Department.

Members of the RDC approved the resolution Wednesday during a meeting at City Concourse.

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City attorney Greg Pittman explained the resolution is a necessary step in the process to acquire the property.

The resolution consolidates the economic development area and expands the economic development area to include the Aldi building and associated real estate.

Currently, the area ends at 16th and Beech streets. The former Aldi building will not be included in the Tax Increment Finance district, which means improvements to the property won't be captured by the TIF.

Pittman explained the resolution also identifies projects which would be permissible, including building improvements, which the city will undertake to renovate the former Aldi for use as the new police department.

In December, the RDC approved the city's request to enter a purchase agreement to buy the former grocery store at 2308 16th St. for $825,000. The building is on a two-acre tract and includes a large parking lot. The building has 13,000 square feet, nearly double the 7,000 square feet of the current BPD.

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The expansion of the economic development area is subject to approval by the Bedford Plan Commission and Bedford City Council.

The resolution work was done by Barnes and Thornburg, the legal firm which serves as special counsel to the city's RDC. Members approving the resolution were Judy Carlisle, Penny May, Shea Hooten, Ryan Griffith and Craig Turpen, who was recently appointed to the commission to fill the vacant seat of Melanie Hacker.

Contact Times-Mail Staff Writer Carol Johnson at cjohnson@tmnews.com or 812-277-7252.

This article originally appeared on The Times-Mail: RDC takes step to expand city's economic development area