Common Council approves resolutions to reimburse funds used for new amphitheater, three road improvement projects

City of Shelbyville moving forward with amphitheater project at Blue River Memorial Park

Blue River Memorial Park will have an amphitheater before a new indoor sports complex.

On Monday at City Hall, the Shelbyville Common Council approved a resolution that will allow it to be reimbursed expenses from bonds issued later this year so it can start on an amphitheater build in the city’s largest park located at 725 Lee Boulevard.

“There is a conceptual plan and drawing. We had a meeting last week that it was shown to us,” confirmed Shelbyville Mayor Scott Furgeson in an interview with the Shelby County Post. “It’s a conceptual plan at this time. Probably in another month we will have something to show people.”

The bonds are not expected to be issued until at least November but Monday’s resolution allows the city to start spending on the project.

The proposed indoor, multi-purpose sports venue at Blue River Memorial Park is still in the negotiating stage with a Boston-based company, Edge Sports Group, that would operate the facility. The city has funding available through the initial READI 1.0 grant award process that must be matched by local funding and have a private investment.

Potential operating losses of the facility are currently being discussed.

“They sent us an agreement and it basically said here is our $5 million we are putting into it, $2.5 million in READI money and $2.5 million in city money, and then they wanted us to make up all shortfalls,” said Furgeson. “So what’s that number? I am not going to agree to that. I have no idea (what that is).

“What is the accountability level? How do we figure out whose fault it is if there is a shortfall? I am not prepared to do anything like that and put us in that kind of position.”

Furgeson reiterated the sports complex deal is not dead.

“We are still talking,” said Furgeson.”They are supposed to come back to us with a number and let us know what those numbers are. Until we know what those numbers are, we can’t move forward.”

City attorney Jennifer Meltzer provided an update on the project to the Redevelopment Commission Monday during its monthly meeting that took place prior to the Common Council meeting.

Meltzer was asked how much money the city has invested into the project so far. Her reply was only drainage work within the park which would have been needed anyway to complete the amphitheater project.

In a similar move Monday, the council also approved a resolution for three road projects that also will be paid for with bonds issued at a later date. With a cap of $32.5 million, the resolution allows the city to start spending for projects aimed to improve North Riley Highway, Tom Hession Boulevard and Mausoleum Road.

Construction on the North Riley Highway project could start this month, according to Furgeson. The project includes the addition of two roundabouts that will be part of the final stages on North Riley Highway.

“The North Riley (project) is going to be about $14 million,” said Furgeson.

Phase II of Tom Hession Boulevard is already designed and land is already acquired. Phase III has yet to be designed. It will connect Tom Hession Boulevard to Mausoleum Road in Shelbyville’s Industrial Park.

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