Nathan Scherer, left, president of the Syracuse Town Council, and David Wilkinson, Syracuse town manager, review the agenda prior to Tuesday night’s meeting. Photo by Lauren Zeugner.

By Lauren Zeugner
InkFreeNews

SYRACUSE  — Syracuse Council President Nathan Scherer adjusted the council’s agenda Tuesday night, April 16, after approval of last month’s minutes and claims, to introduce The Ridge Group, developers out of Muncie.

Scherer excused himself and left the council hall as Tyler Bowers, vice president of TRG Development, introduced himself. TRG is working on South Shore Ventures and Scherer is a partner in the project.

TRG replied to a request for proposal regarding the South Shore Ventures project. The development firm, based in Muncie, is working on the multi-family units portion of the project.

Bowers explained a major obstacle to the project is lack of water. He explained a well system would be cost prohibitive. Essentially the area would need to operate its own water municipality to ensure water for residents and for fire suppression.

Bowers told the council the cost would be around $2.5 million.

Councilman Larry Siegel noted running water to the south side of town would cost approximately $2.6 million.

Bowers stated he was there just to introduce himself, not ask for anything from the town.

Siegel proceeded to explain how the town runs the utility at a loss. Councilwoman Cindy Kaiser interjected pointing out to Siegel he had asked previously if the South Shore project had any developers interested in the project and here was one.

Councilman Paul Stoelting, council vice president, said he would like to hear TRG’s presentation.

Bowers went through a brief history of the company, which started in 1990 as Ridge Petroleum Contractors. It expanded into development in 2018 and has done multi-million dollar multi-family projects in West Lafayette, Angola, Indianapolis and Ellettsville.

Siegel asked how the town would benefit from the South Shore project. Bowers noted “more housing brings more people.” He told the council TRG is “indifferent” to annexation.

Jeff Dyson, co-owner of South Shore Ventures, told the council the market for the project would be young families, including families with school age children which would increase local school funding and more utility revenue.

After several minutes of testy back and forth between Siegel and Dyson, Stoelting asked Siegel if he was suggesting the town should reject the project outright without doing any research.

Dyson reminded the council the project is $100 million economic investment into the area. Siegel noted the county has already established a tax increment finance district around the property.

Stoelting ended the discussion saying to Siegel “I think this is just an introduction… Rather than arguing…” He then thanked Bowers for his time.

The council approved the TIF bond for Rabbit Ridge Development after Siegel raised questions as to what would happen if Dr. Larry Allen paid off the bond early. He was concerned the town would be on the hook for the 80/20 split for 20 years. Dennis Otten, an attorney with Bose McKinney and Evans explained the agreement was written in such a way that would not happen.

After some discussion a motion to suspend and vote on a ordinance on animal waste died for lack of a vote. The matter will be reviewed next month.

The council approved rezoning 2.2 acres from public use to commercial. The property, which has already been sold, is located by St. Andrews United Methodist Church. It will house a storage unit with a second floor residence.

The council approved a resolution updating the town’s facade grant program.