By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw
WARSAW — What might be viewed by some as a million-dollar gamble by the city of Warsaw to revive the old Marsh property began to show promise last week as two purchase agreements started to take shape.
The city bought the land at the corner of South Buffalo and Winona Avenue several years ago in hopes of finding a grocery store or at least reversing what had become a deteriorating property.
Efforts to attract a grocery store of some kind did not materialize, and some on social media questioned the city’s investment.
Last week, the city redevelopment commission reviewed contracts that will set the stage for the sale of the old Marsh building to an unnamed buyer for $1 million.
At the same time, another contract is being prepared to sell the southeast corner of the parking lot to a company that plans to construct a Scooter’s Coffee drive-through shop near the corner of South Buffalo and Prairie streets. That sale price will be $225,000.
The transaction would provide a break-even situation for the city and result in coming months in a revitalized commercial area.
Jeremy Skinner, the city’s director of community and economic development, who is leading the discussions for the city in the sale, was asked if he was pleased with the new developments, which drew a chuckle: “Yes, absolutely!”
“It’s been a challenge, but at the end of the day, hopefully, this will be a good spot for some retail shopping on that south side,” Skinner said.
Contracts could be expected to be finalized in the next few weeks.
While the buyer of the main property has not been identified, many suspect the property will be turned into a large antique mall. The building also includes two adjoining storefronts on the north end that could be leased.
Skinner said he believes renovations to the main building probably won’t be ready for nearly a year.
Major work, he said, will include the heating and cooling system. The roof, the floor, and the parking lot, plus aesthetic improvements to the interior.
“Without a doubt, it will be a substantial investment on their end,” Skinner said.
The city acquired the property less than three years ago during Mayor Joe Thallemer’s tenure.
Thallmer now sits on the city redevelopment commission, which is overseeing the transaction.
“We all know how difficult retail has been, and the fact that there’s folks willing to step forward, and that this Redevelopment Commission is willing to work with them, it’s fantastic,” Thallemer said.
“We’re basically getting back what we paid for the property at the end of the day. I feel good with where we are. Would it have been great to have a Safeway grocery store in there? Sure, but retail doesn’t seem to work like that anymore.”
Mayor Jeff Grose reflected on efforts to revive the property.
The city had worked to find a grocery store for the property, but with no luck.
“For well over a year, we spent a lot of dollars seeking a retail like that, and we were just unable to get it,” Grose said. “So you pivot, move in a different direction, and wish for the good.”
“At the same time, I wanna tell you that I appreciate our side of the net, trying to figure something out for the good of that building,” Grose added.
The drive-thru coffee business will be yet another company specializing in coffee near the downtown.
Scooter’s Coffee has stores in Mishawaka, Nappanee, Kendallville and Wabash.
Skinner said officials with the coffee shop are eager to begin construction.
