Goshen RDC asked to help fund downtown improvement plans

The Goshen RDC approved its 2018 budgets Tuesday, four funds adding up to $8.5 million. They include an operating fund of $336,196 and three tax increment finance districts – the $4.4 million Southeast, $3.4 million River Race/U.S. 33 and $315,000 Plymouth Avenue funds.

The Southeast TIF covers projects including Kercher Road improvements and the C.R. 40 water main extension. River Race/U.S. 33 TIF projects included the 9th Street bike/pedestrian trail and the extension of River Race Drive North. The Plymouth Avenue TIF covers the trail crossing modification done last fall near Goshen Middle School.

Community Development Director Mark Brinson, who presented the budget, noted many of the project expenses under the TIF funds are based on design costs and that final contract costs haven't been approved yet. He also said the $2.2 million in estimated revenue for the River Race TIF reflects the loss of $50,000 from Meijer's property tax appeal.

During the budget discussion, Dave Pottinger and Jonathan Weiand told the commission that the EID is honing its designs for what it wants Main Street to look like in the coming years. Pottinger said the district, whose budget is typically in the tens of thousands of dollars and covers things like streetscaping and snow removal, is saving up money now for expenses like tree plantings.