Future commercial development is being targeted near U.S. 31 that could bring more restaurants and service industries to the Edinburgh area.
Property owner HHH Properties LLC is seeking to develop 65.52 acres of land west of Edinburgh Premium Outlets for future commercial use that could include restaurants, banks and other businesses, said Mark Pratt, president of Breeden Inc. in Columbus, representing the applicant.
Pratt received a favorable recommendation Wednesday from the Bartholomew County Plan Commission to rezone the property — on the west side of U.S. 31 and south of County Road 800N — from general agriculture to commercial regional, which sends the request to the Bartholomew County commissioners for approval.
He said the acreage, which was assessed in March for $49,300 according to county property records, already has drawn interest.
“We’ve had prospects look at the property,” Pratt told the commission.
The land is close to industrial and commercial development, including a Hardee’s restaurant, Ricker’s gas station, a self-storage facility, Taco Bell and a Best Western Hotel, according to a planning staff report. Across U.S. 31 to the east are the Hilton Garden Inn and Hampton Inn hotels, MainSource Bank, Thornton’s gas station, the Exit 76 Antique Mall, in addition to other commercial and industrial businesses.
Pratt said developers have shown interest in the proposed property targeted for redevelopment, and noted restaurants and other service industries are likely prospects to locate there due to the proximity of Interstate 65.
“It’s one of the most interesting and attractive properties along (U.S.) 31,” Pratt said. “We would like to begin construction of the infrastructure before the end of the year.”
Reached by phone, HHH representative Jill Fivecoat said the acreage has been owned by her family since 1820. Fivecoat, who lives in Greenville, South Carolina, said she and three other siblings decided to form a limited liability company.
“We had to decide what we wanted to do with it,” she said. “It was our legacy growing up.”
She said a joint decision was made to part with the property so the next generation of family members wouldn’t have to deal with it.
Fivecoat also said she anticipates more development occurring in the future, which should be beneficial to the area.
“For the Columbus area and Taylorsville, it’s awesome,” she said.
