Goshen board approves phased rehabilitation agreement for 1705 West Plains Drive

The Goshen Board of Public Works and Safety approved a rehabilitation agreement April 2 for the multiunit property at 1705 West Plains Drive, setting staged deadlines to bring vacant units into compliance with city code.

Don Schuler of the legal department reviewed the revised agreement, which breaks the 16 vacant units into four groups of four and sets 90-day completion deadlines for each group. Under the schedule presented, the staggered completion dates begin June 25 and continue Sept. 23; Dec. 22; and March 22, 2027. Schuler said the agreement requires the owner to make a good-faith effort to rent units and includes remedies if deadlines are missed, "including damages and penalties" and the city's ability to seek receivership without objection from the property owner.

Schuler said the agreement also contains provisions for coordination with NIPSCO to restore utilities and that if utilities delay occupancy the certification process can be handled separately so other remedial work may proceed. When asked, Schuler confirmed the owner, Cecil Bontrager, had signed the agreement earlier in the week.

A board member moved to approve the rehabilitation agreement as presented; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote.