CLARKSVILLE —
Clarksville officials say they may be close to bringing two tenants into the old Colgate-Palmolive Co. property.
The prospects were discussed during a Thursday night meeting of the Clarksville Redevelopment Commission. Few details were released, but officials indicated they were health care related businesses and they could bring in a few hundred jobs. The potential investors are looking at Building 39 — the cream colored building at the west end of the property — not the building with the famed red clock on it.
Planning director Sharon Wilson said if prospects pan out the move could spark further investment in the property.
“Once we get one in there it’s going to be like Veterans Parkway — rippling and rolling,” she said.
During the meeting, the commission approved an up to $39,000 contract with architectural firm Kovert-Hawkins, which is now tasked with developing a concept plan for the area.
The Colgate plant, which once employed about 1,500, closed its doors at the end of 2007, after the company moved operations to Mexico and Tennessee. The building has sat empty since then, though speculation about the property has been particularly high this year, as it was purchased in January by a development group.
As all that’s taken place, the plant has remained steeped in mystery. And that was the case on Thursday night.
At one point, Redevelopment Director Rick Dickman even discussed ways in which negotiations between the town and the prospects could be kept behind closed doors, rather than during public meetings.
Dickman sought outside consulting on the subject from Ice miller, an Indianapolis legal firm. During Thursday’s meeting he read a memo he’d received from the firm. It advised that the commission could have a “gathering” — as opposed to holding an official meeting — to discuss industrial or commercial prospects, so long as they reach no conclusion or offer public financial resources. According to the memo, this could be done without any open door law notice and without any limitation on the identity or the number of people attending.
A second option would be for officials to meet in executive session for the purpose of conducting interviews and negotiation with industrial or commercial prospects. That would require notice.
The commission made no decision to exercise either option. Dickman said both options were recent additions to the Indiana open door law. The News and Tribune will seek independent verification of those changes.
The town wouldn’t have to negotiate unless the prospects wanted something, Dickman said. He declined to give specifics on what that might be but said some funding mechanisms were being sought. Wilson indicated the prospects are also working with state economic development officials, as well.
An announcement could be made in about three weeks, she said.
Recent Local News
Clarksville courting health care prospects at Colgate site
- Recent Local News
-
-
SWEET TREAT: Volunteers see the attraction of annual Starlight Strawberry Festival
-
Board chair: Parks district best solution for New Albany and Floyd County
Mayor Jeff Gahan’s veto of a new parks deal between the city and county was upheld earlier this month by the New Albany City Council. While the Floyd County Council agreed to still pay an additional $100,000 toward the parks department for the remainder of the year, the city and county remain under a prior agreement that led to funding discrepancies in the past.
-
THE 'V' WORD: SUB: Prosser Career Education Center moves away from stigma of ‘vocational’ school
- TARC sets Memorial Day and Kennedy Bridge route changes
- Indiana man releases hostages, fatally shoots self
-
Vietnam veteran receives medals 46 years after active duty ends
- More travelers to hit the road this Memorial Day weekend
-
Pence talks bridges, jobs during Southern Indiana swing
“I think everyone senses with the recent bridges agreement, the potential for extraordinary growth,” said Mike Pence, a U.S. House member who is seeking to replace Gov. Mitch Daniels and retain the gubernatorial seat for the Republican Party.
- Police: Gunman has hostages in Indiana realty office
-
Delaware woman dies in I-65 crash
-
Collingsworth Family to perform at Silver Heights Retreat Center in New Albany
The Collingsworth Family will be making a return trip to the Silver Heights Retreat and Camp Center in New Albany on Thursday, June 7.
-
Clark County approves self-insurance plan
Clark County Insurance Agent-of-Record Diane Swank presented health insurance renewal options at the council meeting Monday, but the county’s fiscal body decided to recess its meeting in order to review a proposal to move the county to a self-insured plan.
-
New theater directors at NAHS and FCHS ready for their programs
As the curtain falls on the careers of the teachers who put the theater programs of Floyd Central and New Albany high schools on the map, the new blood coming in have big hopes for the programs they’re taking over.
-
Jeff to start enforcing insurance ordinances
A 2004 ordinance that dictates how much city retirees pay for health insurance – ignored for years by Jeffersonville officials – looks like it will now be enforced.
-
Top Gun showing Saturday at the New Albany riverfront
In honor of Memorial Day, the city of New Albany will show the movie “Top Gun” on its new 40-foot screen at the Riverfront Amphitheater Saturday.
- More Recent Local News Headlines
-
