WARSAW — Freedom Oil, known to many as CITGO, is looking to expand their Argonne Road location. Greg Cobb, managing member of Freedom Oil, was present at the Warsaw Common Council Monday, Feb. 6, to ask the council to allow the vacation of the alley located between CITGO and Our Father’s House.

Freedom Oil is in possession of 425 Argonne Road, Warsaw, and will be purchasing the Our Father’s House lot at 401 Argonne Road. The plan is to demolish both buildings and replace the underground tanks.

“Instead of getting us through four or five years, this infrastructure will be designed so it will last 40 years and be all up to latest environmental standards,” stated Cobb.

City Planner Jeremy Skinner made the recommendation that the council approve the vacation. A vote was not needed at this meeting; a public hearing will be held in approximately two weeks for the approval of the vacation.

The council took some time to ask Cobb a few specifics about the project, but Skinner reminded that this is still being presented as a development project and that details are still in progress.

It was noted that this particular corridor, Market Street from Warsaw into Winona Lake, was part of the target area when Warsaw was competing to be a Stellar Community. Because of this, a lot of the planning will only need minor changes.

“Even though we weren’t Stellar designee, as a Stellar finalist we are lightyears ahead on these projects,” said Mayor Joe Thallemer regarding the Freedom Oil project and the roundabout project that will be taking place at Argonne Road and Winona Avenue.

Skinner then moved on to present a resolution designating the Freedom Oil plan as a Economic Development Target Area to allow tax abatements to commercial developments. The resolution was passed unanimously, it will be confirmed and presented at the next public hearing.

In other business:

• Kip Shuter, Warsaw Police Department, presented the annual report on 2016 traffic and criminal statistics.
• Larry Plummer, superintendent, presented the annual review for Warsaw Parks. The impact of the concert series was highlighted.
• City Clerk-treasurer Lynne Christiansen presented an encumbered purchase order report.