Clinton County RDC agrees to sell 5 acres for $1 to advance 28 West Business Park

At its May meeting the Clinton County Economic Redevelopment Commission voted to sell a 5‑acre parcel it holds to JJ Property Group for $1 as part of an incentive package to enable the 28 West Business Park development. The sale is contingent on final legal review; the commission authorized its president to sign the conveyance documents once the county/RDC attorney completes that review.

Chan Sheridan of the Clinton County Economic Development Chamber introduced the project and invited developer representatives to present. Jeff Hines, of Kaiser Land Company, told the commission the developer closed on roughly 37 acres last October and plans a mixed‑use frontage with a convenience store and fuel, one Hampton Inn & Suites on the west end, and a central retail block. Behind that frontage Hines said the plan reserves about 20 acres for industrial‑flex buildings — 20,000–50,000 square foot, office‑plus‑shop spaces intended to serve nearby manufacturers.

Why it matters: commissioners said the conveyance and the related declaration of covenants and restrictions will tidy plat ownership and enable the developer to take the finalized documents to the June planning commission meeting. County leaders framed the conveyance as an incentive intended to convert underused RDC property into taxable commercial and industrial development that could generate new revenue for Clinton County.

Infrastructure, constraints and timing: a presenter for the development team outlined engineering challenges and permit steps. The site is bisected by a petroleum pipeline easement; construction and road crossings must meet the pipeline owner’s standards, the presenter said. The development will require roughly 1,237 feet of off‑site waterline work to connect to the existing water main and a large stormwater detention pond; the presenter said the planned pond will occupy nearly 4 acres of the 5‑acre parcel. He also warned the state will require significant work on State Road 28 for the project’s entrance — “in excess of $1,000,000” of roadway work, he said — before the state will permit a new curb cut.

Hines said the developer intends to move forward quickly once the plat and documents are in place: "Once we get the plat approved, Jack will start developing the c‑store and the hotel immediately," he said, adding the owner has begun engineering work and plans to start construction documents pending plat approval. The presenter told the commission the team has conditional approval from the drainage board for the stormwater design and will return for final construction‑document review.

The commission’s action and next steps: chair called for a motion and Jay moved to sell the 5‑acre parcel to JJ Property Group for $1, contingent upon attorney review and final legal approval; Jim seconded. The commission approved the motion by voice vote and authorized the president to sign the conveyance documents once legal review is complete and the declaration of covenants and restrictions is finalized. The presenter said the developer expects to ask the planning commission to approve the plat at the June meeting and hopes to begin phase‑1 construction this fall, with the phase‑1 buildout taking roughly a year and phase‑2 development to follow within two to five years.

A few other details: commissioners were told the RDC’s fund balance remains "just over $1,000,000." Sheridan and Hines acknowledged a nearby project and competing hotel timeline; they said multiple parties have expressed interest in the broader corridor and in speculative industrial‑flex space. The commission received draft deed and covenant documents and directed staff and counsel to complete legal review before final signatures.

The commission adjourned after brief closing remarks.