SHELBY — The Community Improvement Corporation of Shelby was designated as the city’s agent in development of newly acquired downtown property during Monday’s city council meeting.
“I have complete confidence in the CIC facilitating the development of this property to its fullest potential,” Shelby Mayor Steve Schag said.
Council members unanimously passed legislation that authorized Schag to enter into a purchase-and-sale agreement for the acquisition of the near 15-acre property in the heart of downtown, previously home to the Central Elementary School building and Skiles Field.
The land will be transferred to the CIC as the designated agent for the development of the property.
“Know that this isn’t going to happen overnight. Construction takes time, planning takes time and we’re moving forward with that,” said Jake Penwell, president of the CIC.
“We can’t wait to share it with everybody as we continue to move forward,” Penwell said.
The CIC has actively been working on several projects to help revitalize the downtown and surrounding areas, including the Main Street Streetscape project and the Black Fork Commons Plaza.
The new land acquisition will allow for a Black Fork trail and stream restoration the CIC has identified.
“It’s a key piece to making the center of town work and function better,” Penwell said.
Ward 3 Councilman Garland Gates presented concern for the maintenance of the property’s landscape.
“The Park Board staff is up to its eyeballs in mowing,” Gates said. “They can’t take another acre, let alone nearly 15-acres roughly and add to it.”
Penwell assured council members that the CIC is fully aware of the scope of work that comes with acquiring the parcels of property.
“We are asking for this property because we (CIC) believe in the future of what has been adopted here (council),” Penwell said.
“For the revitalization of downtown, that is a responsibility we are taking on.”
Schag praised everyone involved for working diligently to bring details of the transaction together.
“The passage of these two pieces of legislation this evening is the result of an amazing collaboration between the Shelby School District/Board, the Shelby City Council and the Community Improvement Corporation,” Schag said.
To learn more about the Shelby Community Improvement Corporation, along with their downtown revitalization project, visit their website at shelbycic.com.
