By Aleasha Sandley, Herald Bulletin Staff Writer
November 06, 2008 08:52 pm
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ANDERSON — Former General Motors Plant 18 could soon see new life and be back on city tax rolls.
The plant, abandoned upon GM’s exodus out of Anderson, has found a potential buyer, and city officials say the buyer is serious.
“I feel very comfortable with the buyer,” said Charlie Braddock, Redevelopment Commission attorney. “They know what they’re buying; they’ve already got an intended use for it.”
Economic development workers generally do not name potential developers until the deal is sealed, as most companies request confidentiality.
Plant 18, on Scatterfield Road, includes the building, garage and parking lot to the north of the plant. It totals 22 acres between two parcels.
Braddock had hoped to have a purchase agreement ready by Thursday’s Redevelopment Commission meeting, but said a special meeting might have to be called for the commission to approve the agreement at a later date, at which time the buyer will be announced.
The commission already had approved financial terms for the purchase agreement and was working with Indianapolis-based Coldwell Banker to sell all the GM properties.
Braddock said easement and utility issues still had to be negotiated, and issues with lot numbering would be taken to the Plan Commission in early December.
“I think we’re very close to getting that signed off on,” he said.
Developer/landlord Davis Group had made an offer of $300,000 each on both Plants 18 and 16 in September, and the city made a $425,000 counteroffer. It is not clear if Davis Group accepted the counter offer on Plant 18 or if the potential buyer is a different company.
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In other Redevelopment Commission business:
— The commission approved a $6,255 change order for work on Anderson’s new pedestrian bridge, 80 percent of which the state will pay.
— The commission approved a request from Pendleton First United Methodist Church to buy $100 worth of old office equipment from the former General Motors Plant 20.
— The commission accepted Virgil Cook Boulevard, a road built on a lease-build arrangement.
— The commission approved a renewal of a promissory note for upkeep of the former General Motors buildings.
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