The Columbus Redevelopment Commission on Monday agreed to fund design work and cost estimates for infrastructure improvements in the Walesboro Industrial Park area.
The commission is paying American Structurepoint an amount not to exceed $1.15 million out of the central tax-increment-financing (TIF) district for the work, which will sketch out the following improvements:
- Reconstruction of County Road 225W from Deaver Road to County Road 300S
- Sanitary sewer construction on Deaver Road from Country Road 225W to 150W
- Intersection improvements at Deaver Road and Country Road 175W
- Realignment of County Road 175W
Columbus City Council members are required to give final approval on any city expenditure greater than $500,000.
American Structurepoint will create a topographic survey, route survey and survey field book for the above improvements, according to a copy of the agreement. Some of the improvements, like upgrades to County Road 175W and the sanitary sewer construction, are required as part of Toyota Material Handling’s new 260,000 square-foot manufacturing facility that will be on the north side of Deaver Road at I-65, next to its current facility.
“With us doing work in the area, this seemed like the right time to go ahead and get his design work done,” Director of Redevelopment Heather Pope said. “Because what’s costly and time consuming in this process is having a topographic survey of this entire area. And for those unfamiliar with the topographic survey, every divot and everything like that is identified. And as you can imagine, that takes time to map that out. And time means it costs a lot of money.”
Redevelopment Commission President Al Roszczyk said work to the area is also about encouraging its further growth.
“This is not about just the Toyota improvements, but also it’s going to open up that which we desperately need- shovel-ready ground,” Roszczyk said. “It will further enhance the ability for businesses to locate in Walesboro.”
The sewer line will likely go in first, because its critical to Toyota’s new plant, according to City Engineer Andrew Beckort. He estimated construction getting started in the area in 2025, calling it “a pretty short timeline” for American Strucurepoint to get the design work finished.
Commissioner Shannon McDonald asked Beckort if he had any concerns regarding implementation because of the shorter timeline.
“No, I’ve talked to American Structurepoint and they’re aware of that time crunch, especially for the sewer portion,” Beckort responded. “I think they can meet those deadlines.”
Council member Tom Dell, D-at-large, said the improvements will support industrial development in the area, but will also benefit its residents.
“Your investment’s going to be very, very helpful for that whole area,” Dell said.
