Mike Wolanin | The Republic Workers remove part of the Fair Oak Mall sign on the building facing 25th Street in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022.
Mike Wolanin | The Republic Workers remove part of the Fair Oak Mall sign on the building facing 25th Street in Columbus, Ind., Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2022.
The Columbus Parks and Recreation Board will hear public input next week on bonds for a portion of the NexusPark project.
Public hearings are planned at 2 p.m. Monday and 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10 at Columbus City Hall.
“As a result of the COVID-19 virus, these may be virtual meetings if authorized by a renewal of the Indiana Governor’s current executive order permitting virtual public meetings,” officials wrote in a public notice. “If these meetings are held virtually, anyone interested in observing the meetings may do so via the City’s livestream portal, available at www.columbus.in.gov/video/live-streaming.”
Individuals who watch remotely can send comments or questions to [email protected] before or during the two meetings. These messages will be read aloud during the hearings. Members of the public may also attend the hearings in person, said Parks Associate Director of Business Services Pam Harrell.
According to city officials, the hearings are regarding “preliminary determination” for the park board to issue special taxing district bonds for part of the NexusPark project. During the hearings, the board will listen to any objections or support brought forth by members of the public in regards to both the proposed project and bonds. Officials will then consider adoption of a resolution about the bonds.
These bonds will go toward “financing all or a portion of the renovation and equipping of a portion of the former FairOaks Mall at 2380 25th Street, Columbus, into a new park administration headquarters facility, including without limitation, community event and meeting rooms, a health and wellness center, programmable recreation spaces, support spaces for the proposed adjacent fieldhouse and park green space, and the expenses incurred in connection with or on account of the issuance of the bonds.”
Harrell said that the bonds are estimated at $11.5 million, but the amount is subject to change. Per the city’s notice, the bonds are to be payable “from a special tax levied and collected on all taxable property within the geographical boundaries of the (Columbus Park) District.”
This would affect city taxpayers, said Harrell, and the city’s financial adviser will present all required information on tax impact at the public hearings.
Parks officials added that, “The impact (on taxpayers) is expected to be minimal, and will keep the city’s tax rate among the lowest in the state for a community our size.”
After the preliminary public hearings are held, another legal advertisement will be published on Feb. 25 for declaratory resolutions, said Harrell. The Columbus City Council is expected to vote on the bonds on March 1 and 15, and the park board will approve the final bond on March 10.
NexusPark is a joint venture between the city of Columbus and Columbus Regional Health to transform the former FairOaks Mall into a health, wellness and recreation center. In addition to administrative and recreational spaces for the parks department, the campus is also expected to include an indoor sports fieldhouse, restaurant and retail areas, and CRH facilities. The NexusPark site also states that “outdoor community park and gathering spaces” are planned, and Dunham’s is expected to remain on-site under its current lease.
Per the new website, parks administrative spaces are expected open in fall of 2023, with the fieldhouse being completed in late 2023. The first CRH practice is expected to open this fall in NexusPark.
Officials have said in the past that the fieldhouse, which is also part of the city’s portion of the project, will be paid for using an EDIT bond.
