Rev. David John Walkowiak, seated, takes part in his ordination and installation as the 12th bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids, Mich., on Tuesday at the Cathedral of St. Andrew. Walkowiak, an Ohio native, was most recently a priest at a parishNEW HAVEN – New Haven is one step closer to a sizable development at the northeast corner of Minnich Road and Indiana 930 East.
New Haven City Council members approved rezoning just over 34 acres from general commercial to light industrial, as recommended by the New Haven Plan Commission.
The plan commission conducted a public hearing Dec. 18.
The parcel is part of the larger 65-acre site planned for development of several commercial businesses, including a 177,000-square-foot distribution center.
The warehouse will be built by local contractors and the business could employ up to 160 people, City Planner Brian Yoh said.
Schenkel Construction has been contracted for some of the work, he said. The name of the warehouse and owners will be announced in 30 to 40 days, Yoh said.
“We still have some economic development things to wrap up before we announce the name,” he said.
Glenn Conkling of Tricon Group Partners of Fort Wayne said the site is “one of the most exciting projects I have ever worked on.”
“If I have my way, this will be called Gateway Park, because it will be an impressive gateway to New Haven,” Conkling said.
He expects the facility to be completed by the end of this year with occupancy by the first quarter of 2014, Conkling said.
In addition to the warehouse, the site will house from four to 13 commercial businesses, depending on size, Yoh said.
The property was eyed five years ago as a potential site for a Flying J travel plaza, but the city rejected that proposal. In November, Pilot Flying J opened a new truck plaza off Interstate 469 and U.S. 30 in New Haven.
