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Danville IDA increases meetings as projects gear upAug 05, 2011 (Danville Register & Bee - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- With some new economic development projects in the pipeline and the acquisition of several properties that need to be developed, the Industrial Development Authority of Danville decided Thursday to increase the number of times it meets each month. The IDA will continue to meet on the first Thursday of every month, but are also scheduling regular meetings for the second Thursday. Chairman Richard Turner said the "increased activity" of the group makes the second meeting necessary, and noted the second meeting would be cancelled if all business can be conducted at the first meeting. The new schedule goes in effect immediately, with the IDA scheduling its second meeting for this month on Aug. 11. The IDA was formed to promote economic development in the city. It focused on developing industrial parks until recently, when it began acquiring properties in the newly-designated River District. Now, besides lots in Airside and Riverview industrial parks, the IDA owns: " the former Downtowner Motel; " the former hardware store and both Atrium buildings on Main Street; and " three buildings on Bridge Street -- Old Belt One, which will house the Noblis supercomputer project; the former Dimon Building, which now houses Averett University's graduate nursing program and the future home of the Danville Regional Foundation; and the former Durham Hosiery building in Newton's Landing parking lot near the Community Market. The group also owns property at the corner of Monument and Fitzgerald streets, where they recently tore down an old warehouse. Turner said plans are being discussed for how all of these properties will be used, developed or demolished for future development. A portion of the meeting was closed so the group could discuss an as-yet-unannounced economic development project, and as soon as the closed session ended, the group voted to subdivide a lot in Airside Industrial Park, spend up to $1 million constructing a building for an "unannounced economic development client," and approved a lease with and an "unannounced economic development client." Since economic development projects remain confidential until all parties are satisfied, it is unknown at this time whether these votes are related to a single project or more. The IDA also voted to approve a $9,000 USDA loan for Barry Koplan to install heat and air conditioning in a building he is developing on Union Street. To see more of the Danville Register & Bee or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www2.godanriver.com. Copyright (c) 2011, Danville Register & Bee, Va. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com. |