TERRE HAUTE —
The Terre Haute Board of Public Works and Safety has given the OK for the sale of city-owned property downtown, a move that could help bring university student housing to Wabash Avenue.
The five-person board, whose members are appointed by the mayor, on Monday passed a resolution declaring as “surplus property” the city’s parking lot and former bus transfer facility at 500 Wabash Ave.
Declaring city property “surplus” is a necessary first step before its sale can take place.
In April, Indiana State University and Thompson Thrift, a Terre Haute developer, confirmed that the entire 500 block of Wabash Avenue was under consideration as a possible spot for new ISU student housing.
In addition to the parking lot and bus facility, the block contains several vacant buildings and a jewelry and gift store operated by local attorneys Mike and Kal Ellis.
The Terre Haute Department of Redevelopment facilitated the move to declare the parking lot as “surplus.” However, in explaining the move, department officials said only that the city no longer needs the property because city buses can now use the Cherry Street parking garage/transit hub.
“The city no longer has use for that” parking lot, said Cliff Lambert, executive director of the Department of Redevelopment. “Once we opened the new parking garage and transit facility, that [parking lot] was no longer needed in that regard.”
The City of Terre Haute has a 35-year lease with ISU to use the Cherry Street facility as a bus transfer station and headquarters for the transit utility.
An ISU official reached Monday stated that no final decision has been made regarding a possible location for downtown student housing.
“We’re still studying the site,” said Diann McKee, vice president of business affairs, finance and university treasurer. “At this point, it’s still being evaluated.”
ISU did not request that the city declare the property surplus, McKee noted.
Thompson Thrift has been working with ISU for several months to find a site for downtown student housing. The housing unit would include retail space on the first level to be managed by Thompson Thrift or a third party, with upper floors containing student housing to be operated and managed by ISU.
Initial plans were for 150 beds with a long-range plan for up to 600 beds.
Officials with Thompson Thrift could not be reached for comment Monday afternoon.
Reporter Arthur Foulkes can be reached at (812) 231-4232 or arthur.foulkes@tribstar.com.
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