This post was provided by News Now Warsaw
By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — Kosciusko County officials appear to be pumping the brakes on plans for a city-county parking garage in downtown Warsaw.
County Commissioner Cary Groninger, who has been the only firm supporter of the plan among the three commissioners, was asked Tuesday where the proposal stands.
“We’re still in the process of trying to come up with what type of project or if we’re even going to build a project,” Goninger said.
His comments came just days after a “visioning” group with the Orthopedic Industry Retention Initiative was lobbying in support of the $15 million proposal by distributing brochures to downtown merchants.
County officials have said in the past that they need more parking for downtown employees as well as the public, but concerns about property tax impact have clouded the issue, as well as two other unrelated library spending plans that have faced votes in recent weeks.
News Now Warsaw spoke with Groninger after Tuesday’s meeting of the commissioners and was asked if there is a timeline.
“Not yet,” Groninger said. “I think we’ll have a decision in the next six months, whether or not we’re moving forward or … to hold.”
City and county officials have been discussing the construction of a parking garage for two years, with both sides saying the need for more parking is necessary to shore up the lack of convenient parking for county employees and the public who visit the county justice building.
The city says a parking garage would boost economic development, and county officials say it would free up more space for the long-term need for jail expansion.
Hanging in the balance is $5 million from the OIRI fund, but access to that money provided by state lawmakers is set to expire in 2027.
Conley and Mitchell have both acknowledged the need for more parking but have been reserved in their comments.
Conley’s primary election opponent, Don Wiesehan, announced his opposition to the parking garage earlier this year and ended up winning the primary.
Groninger contends the county’s share of money for the project is already set aside with money from its EDIT fund.
The county has already acquired land for the property on Fort Wayne Street through eminent domain.
