Council approves “Purchase Option Contract” with Meijer

Council members again discussed what to do with Uptown 2 at their study session on Monday, August 17th. Uptown 2 is the 10-acre strip of land at the southeast corner of W. Main St. and 25A (across from Fifth Third Bank), which is presently occupied by about 10 small business buildings that are outside Tipp City limits. City Manager Eric Mack said the city would like to renovate the area and bring it up to the architectural standards being planned for Tipp Plaza and the 60-acre Long property.

However, the city would have to annex the Uptown 2 area to enforce the standards, and annexation of 10 separate properties would be difficult. Amy Blankenship, a lawyer with expertise in annexation, attended the meeting and presented various annexation strategies, but agreed with Mack that all would likely be difficult. Council members agreed further planning and discussion was needed.

Council then briefly considered the possibility of Data Centers in Tipp City, but, as in the previous discussion, unanimously rejected the idea.

At the regular council meeting, Mayor Logan Rogers read a Proclamation celebrating the 100th birthday anniversary of twin sisters in Tipp City, Mary Alice Haley and Mary Jean Holtzhauer. The twin sisters will both be 100 years old on August 21st, 2026. 

Council approved two ordinances:

-        Rezone the two-story property at 101 W. Broadway, just east of the railroad tracks, to Legacy District (LD) from multi-family residential, R-3. This will allow the lower level of the building to be used for commercial purposes, such as real estate offices. This Ordinance was controversial, with two Council members voting “No”, because the property had previously been zoned LD, re-zoned to R-3, and now being zoned back to the original LD.

-        Adopt the 2026 Comprehensive Community Plan with all maps, figures, tables, appendices, and supporting materials as the Official Comprehensive Plan of Tipp City, developed and presented at the July Council Study Session by Reveille LTD, a planning and economic development consultancy headquartered in Bowling Green, Ohio.

Council then approved four resolutions:

-        Authorize City Manager Eric Mack to purchase twenty-six 25 kVA transformers from Cooper Power Systems, LLC of Waukesha, Wisconsin, for the Hyatt Trails subdivision, for a cost not to exceed $69,862.00 (lowest bid).

-        Authorize the City Manager to negotiate a contract with AMP Transmission, LLC, for the sale of certain municipal assets at a price, terms, and conditions which the City Council may approve by a future Ordinance.

-        Authorize the City Manager to apply for participation in the Ohio Public Works Commission (OPWC) State Capital Improvement and/or Local Transportation Improvement Program(s) for the Kerr Road Rehabilitation Project.

-        Authorize the City Manager to enter into a real estate purchase option contract with Meijer Stores Limited Partnership, for the sale of approximately 17-acres at the southwest corner of State Route 571 and South County Road 25A (former Long property) for $3, 050,000, for development into a general merchandise and grocery store.

Council heard the first reading of two new ordinances:

-        Issue and sell notes of $4M in anticipation of issuing bonds, for acquiring approximately 12.15 acres of property near the intersection of West Main Street and South Tippecanoe Drive, i.e., Tipp Plaza, to repay the $4.25M Note issued in 2025.

-        Issue and sell notes in the amount of $1M, in anticipation of issuing bonds for improving State Route 571 (West Main Street) and County Road 25A, by improving both roads near their intersection and installing water utility, sanitary sewer and storm sewer improvements, traffic signals, and acquiring right-of-way.

Council then passed a motion naming David Caldwell as Interim Director of Law.

During the Citizen Comments section of the agenda, Tasha Weaver, Executive Director of the Downtown Tipp City Partnership, announced that the Partnership had nominated Tipp City’s Matt Spring, Community Development, for the Spirit of Main Street award, sponsored by Heritage Ohio, which works to revitalize Ohio’s historic commercial districts. The nomination reads in part: “For more than 22 years, Matt Spring has played a vital role in the growth, development, and success of downtown Tipp City's revitalization efforts. His involvement began long before Downtown Tipp City Partnership became an accredited Main Street program, helping organize the community's first Downtown Assessment Resource Team (DART) visit in 2005, which laid the foundation for the community's Main Street journey.

Throughout his career with the City of Tipp City, Matt has consistently supported downtown revitalization through his expertise in planning, economic development, zoning, grant administration, and community development. He has served on DTCP committees, including Design and Economic Vitality, and currently serves as a DTCP Board member. His leadership and institutional knowledge have helped guide the organization through periods of growth, change, and strategic planning.” Afterward, the meeting was adjourned.