TERRE HAUTE —
A potential $20-million investment in Terre Haute’s east side has been blocked by public opposition.
Magnolia Health Systems of Indianapolis announced Thursday it was dropping plans to build a senior-living complex on the north side of Ohio Boulevard in front of Deming Park.
In an email to the Tribune-Star, Vince McGowen, director of business development for Magnolia, stated that Magnolia had decided to withdraw a request for rezoning 46 acres of undeveloped land for the project. Rezoning the property from single-family residential to “general residential” was a necessary first step for the now-defunct project.
“It is abundantly clear that the facility which we intended to enhance services available in this community is not welcome,” McGowen said.
“Regretfully, we will not have the opportunity to bring the jobs and investment to the community that we had intended.”
A cheer went up from the approximately 120 people packed into the Terre Haute City Council meeting room Thursday evening when Rick Shagley, a Terre Haute attorney, announced he had been instructed to withdraw the rezoning request. The rezoning petition was still officially in front of the Vigo County Area Plan Commission but would have eventually come before the nine-member council.
“This is a wonderful moment, not just for us, but for the whole community,” said Judy Anderson, one of dozens of Ohio Boulevard-neighborhood residents who joined with other east-side residents in strongly opposing the project. Approximately 120 residents packed the Area Plan Commission meeting Wednesday night at the Vigo County Annex. Many of those same people filled the City Council’s chambers Thursday night.
Many residents stood and clapped and cheered after Shagley, who had been representing the project, announced his instructions.
Some opponents of the proposed complex had suggested it might work better in another part of the city or county. However, on Thursday, McGowen made it clear Magnolia has no intention of “moving forward” with any development plans in Vigo County.
Two factors led Magnolia, which owns about 30 nursing homes in Indiana, to reach its decision, McGowen said. First, neighborhood representatives showed no interest in meeting with the company to work toward an agreement. Second, reports of Wednesday night’s Area Plan meeting, which featured about 30 minutes of statements from opponents, showed clearly the project was unwelcome by the neighbors, he said.
Opponents of the proposed development stated it would harm property values on Ohio Boulevard, Edgewood Grove and other nearby areas. They also worried about increased traffic, air quality, lighting and what they believed would be damage to the beauty and historical significance of the boulevard.
Some neighborhood residents said they were also opposed to the project in light of information provided by Terre Haute attorney Chris Gambill, who had represented a family in a lawsuit against Magnolia’s president, Stuart Reed. Gambill urged the Area Plan Commission to reject the rezoning request.
Citizen participation in local government as the Magnolia project evoked “is what Terre Haute needs a lot more of,” said Council President Don Morris as the large crowd filed out of the council chamber. “What you just witnessed is what we’d like to have every month,” he said.
The retirement community was to include a 96-unit nursing home, a 52-unit assisted living facility and 17 duplex “patio homes,” according to Magnolia. It would have employed about 150 people in full-time positions serving about 180 residents, company officials said.
“There are a lot of reputable nursing home corporations in the state,” Gambill said when asked later Thursday night whether he was concerned about the loss of potential investment and job creation. “If there is a need in Vigo County, those companies are going to come here,” he said.
Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
Business
Related Photos
-
Conferring: Judy Anderson and Terre Haute City Council president Don Morris chat before Thursday night's sunshine meeting. Anderson and her neighbors along Ohio Boulevard later learned that a rezoning request had been removed, stopping plans for a retirement community on the east side of town. (Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis)
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Approval: Gloria Anderson shows her approval at Thursday night's City Council meeting when it was announced that plans for a retirement community would not move forward.
-
Tribune-Star/Jim Avelis Joy: George barden listens to his daughter Cathy O�Keefe explain that a rezoning request for property alonh Ohoi Boulevard has been removed from the Terre Haute city council�s agenda.
Discussion
Magnolia gives in on rezoning
Senior-living complex was planned for Ohio Boulevard
- Business
-
- RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: May 21, 2012
-
EYE ON THE PIE: Use to be close tie between output, employment
Crusty Crawford joined our lunch table with a pronouncement. “We’ve always assumed a close tie between output and employment,” he said. No one responded.
-
Employer opinions sought on students
A joint venture between Ready Indiana and the Indiana Department of Education is seeking employer input that will impact how Hoosier high school students are equipped for the workforce.
-
Carlisle prison marks 20th anniversary
2012 marks the 20th year of service for the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, going on line with its first offenders Dec. 10, 1992.
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: Why young workers should care about Social Security
Summer will be here before we know it.
-
BUSINESS CENTS: Does your staff understand pricing?
Many companies feel as though their staff will follow instructions and implement price strategies as instructed.
-
Valley Child Development Center receives grant
Valley Child Development Center has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Terre Haute Day Nursery Foundation through the Wabash Valley Community Foundation.
-
Exec offers advice on becoming startup entrepreneur
Sam Clemens, chief product officer of Cambridge, Mass., startup company Insight Squared, gave Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology students insight on how to develop a startup business.
-
Newsmakers: May 20, 2012
Leland Phipps, family practice physician at Paris Community Hospital/Family Medical Center, has been re-elected to membership with the American Academy of Family Physicians.
-
Alumna to serve as VP for Rose-Hulman Ventures
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology alumna Elizabeth M. Hagerman is returning to her alma mater to serve as vice president for Rose-Hulman Ventures, the institute’s successful innovation space that has spawned careers and entrepreneurial enterprises throughout Indiana.
-
Summer Sidewalk Sale set
Marshall Main Street’s Downtown Summer Sidewalk Sale is planned from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 9.
-
Oil drops to lowest level in 6 months
The price of oil dropped to a six-month low Tuesday on concern that economic uncertainty in Europe could hurt demand for crude.
-
Adidas initiative: ISU students develop business improvement process at facility
As Indiana State University students cruised Interstate 70 on Friday afternoons from Terre Haute to Indianapolis, they were looking forward to reaching their destination.
-
BUSINESS BRIEFLY: May 13, 2012
An evening of networking and education for Clark, Crawford and Edgar counties regarding branding, marketing and tourism development opportunities is planned for 6:30 p.m. May 21 at the Heath Museum on the square in downtown Robinson.
-
Wendy’s partners with Riley Hospital
For just $2, customers at participating Wendy’s restaurants in the Evansville/Terre Haute area can get free Jr. Frosty desserts through Dec. 31 while supporting Riley Hospital for Children at Indiana University Health.
-
Marshall Chamber to stage annual golf outing
The Marshall (Ill.) Chamber of Commerce invites golfers to its annual golf outing scheduled for June 8 at the Marshall Golf Course.
-
ON THE MOVE: May 13, 2012
McKenze Rogers has joined Williams Randall as an account supervisor.
-
Seminar teaches seniors to fight fraud
The Federal Trade Commission estimates that 25 million Americans are victims of consumer fraud each year.
-
EYE ON THE PIE: Economic tools for consumers, workers, business owners, officials
My friend is a carpenter. He has two heavy boxes of tools and several other containers with stuff.
-
SOCIAL SECURITY: Potential Medicare savings for mom
Given the current economic climate, buying a nice gift for Mother’s Day may be more difficult than in years past.
-
‘Best Places to Work’ honored at banquet
Companies raising the bar with their workplace practices were recognized on May 3 at the Indiana Roof Ballroom by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce.
-
NEWSMAKERS: May 13, 2012
Susi Willis, CPA and partner in Larsson Woodyard & Henson, LLP, was recently presented with the Distinguished Service Award by the Indiana CPA Society at its annual CPA Celebration at the Indiana Roof Ballroom in Indianapolis.
-
Indiana Rail Road wins Family-Friendly Award
The Indiana Rail Road Co. has won the Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce’s “Family-Friendly Business Award” for 2012 based on the company’s highly successful employee wellness program.
-
Government cuts summer gasoline price forecast
The government says gasoline will be cheaper this summer than previously expected thanks to a drop in the price of oil.
-
Mall operator becomes biggest real estate company
The nation’s largest shopping mall operator is now also the country’s largest real estate company.
-
Dealership to celebrate first year
The 500 Automotive Group in Clinton will celebrate its first year in business with an big birthday bash at the dealership on Friday and Saturday.
-
EYE ON THE PIE: Compensation levels did not cause the recession
America is still fascinated with “The Price is Right.”
-
Old National begins year with strong first quarter
Old National Bancorp reported 1st quarter net income of $21.7 million, or $0.23 per share.
-
Enroll in disaster preparedness class
The University of Illinois Extension is offering a disaster preparedness course on May 23 for Clark, Crawford and Edgar county businesses called Ready Business.
-
Newsmakers: May 6, 2012
• Dr. Haytham Mansour
• Terre Haute Regional Hospital
- More Business Headlines
Boy to Rescuers: 'Do You Have a Plan?'
Doctors and Devotees Debate Barefoot Running
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
Blacks Seek to Find Their Own Missing
Gerard Butler: the Good, the Bad and the Cannes
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
Serial Stabbings Suspect Guilty of Murder
Raw Video: Private Rocket Blasts Off
Chicago Police: 90 Arrested in NATO Protests
Ex-Rutgers Student Gets 30 Days in Webcam Case
Sheriff: DNA Links Suspect to Missing CA Teen
New Medicine. Can IPads Help Spot Dementia Risk?
At Least 25 Dead in India Train Collision
A Few Odd Business Sparks but Europe Gloomy
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
Raw Video: Man Saved After Niagara Falls Plunge
Obama Sees Inspiration in Joplin Graduates
Raw Video: Dramatic 270-Foot Waterfall Rescue
Houston Museum Unveils $85 Million Dinosaur Hall
Daisy Sizzles in Sexy Swimwear
Officers Use Deadly Force on Mountain Lion in Santa Monica
Lea Michele Shows Major Skin
Why Cee Lo Thinks 'The Voice' is So Popular
Burlesque New Orleans
Mike Posner Talks Sneakers: Bamboozle 2012
Howard Stern Makes Kid Cry on AGT
Neighbor Feud Results in Dog Poop in Mailbox
Tiger's Ex-Wife Bares Her Bod
VIDEO | Zoo Chimp Charges Children
Child locked in washing machine after father put him there
Incubus On Working With Odd Future: Bamboozle 2012
'PLL' First Look Clip!
Fired for being 'too hot'
Ashley Olsen is a Bikini Babe
'Part of Me' Details 'Bumpy' Marriage, Says Katy
Music downloader owes nearly $700K in fines
Kardashian Sisters Pose in Lingerie
