Marion's I-69 and Ind. 18 development project continues moving forward

"The work begins as we speak to the engineers and architects finish drawings," said James F. O'Connor, a Philadelphia health care executive who is one of the people behind 18/69 Land Development. "I would call this the dark period. You are not going to see a lot of things happening. Things as basic as the land survey, civil engineer work and picking materials (will occur)."

O'Connor said the groundbreaking target date is July 1.

"When that happens I think that everybody will be happy," he said.

Whitticker said there were still unanswered questions. She said she did not see the feasibility studies for the project.

O'Connor declined to provide the studies to the Chronicle Tribune.

"We signed confidentiality agreements," he said. "Lenders have seen it and city folks have seen it."

During the Tuesday meeting Brad Luzadder, R-At large, and Jim Brunner, R-Ward 3, made a motion and seconded it, respectively, to remove Whitticker as council president, but council attorney Phil Stephenson said their rules do not allow for that. A few council members apologized to the developers for Whitticker's decision to put the project in committee.

Friday Whitticker said the action to impeach her made her wonder more about the project.

"What are they so afraid of that they would take drastic measures," she said. "This is not about Joselyn but about the citizens of Marion. There is no risk; that kept being said to us. Then why did they come to the council? Why are some of the same investors from the (Marion) Sports Authority? There are so many things that still need to be answered but it has passed."

Brunner said he spoke with Whitticker after the meeting.

"She was making a political move and I felt like I was making a political move," he said. "We have been long time friends. There is no reason we cannot work together."

Whitticker said Brunner came to her after the meeting and was cordial.

"I wonder why he would say something like that," she said. "I hope we can work together. I will be the president until the end of the year. I will continue to take the high road. The citizens are owed a better behavior by all."

Marion Mayor Wayne Seybold said the issue is not the council.

"It is not a council issue," he said. "It is a councilperson or two-person issue. It has been going on for three years. The majority of council members took the time to ask a lot of questions respectfully. They handled themselves in a very professional manner. The members of the public know exactly what happen; they know who causes the problem. We are not losing anything. They are going to pay more taxes."

Seybold said many citizens want the project to succeed.

"I get stopped everywhere I go people loving the project," he said. "The city is at risk for nothing. People are going to be able to see concerts they would have to go to Indianapolis for."

O'Connor said the project will produce 300 permanent jobs.

"The construction side is significantly higher than that," he said.

He said they are looking for a local office space to have a place to conduct business ranging from accepting applications to interviewing.

"We have two sites in mind," he said.

The bonds for the project have been purchased, O'Connor said.

"I bought them" he said. "Those won't go into effect until after this is completely built. We buy those and pay real estate taxes. TIF wouldn't come back to us until we are up and running for two years. The city doesn't buy them. I don't want politicians as my partners. Politicians go like the wind."