The New Town Center

This section is located on Old Union Road from where Union 42 Bourbon & Brew and Bella Vita Restaurant is located down to where Old Union Road meets Union Rte. 42 across from Whispering Trails Road.  The original Town Plan back in 1999 was designed to be developed within this area.  This is a prime area for new local businesses to develop there.  It is the city’s hope for the next several years to develop this area as the next growth area.

Promenade Center

Started in 2021 and 2022, this $170 million project is just about being completed.  To make this project a reality, the city initiated an Industrial Revenue Bond (IRB).  This means the city technically owns the property the Promenade sets upon, and the city shares payroll taxation for those that work on that property.  The norm for Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILOT) is 20% for the city and 80% for the developer.  We negotiated 40% for the city and 60% for the developer.  This was great for the city; however, it meant higher rent for retailers renting.  The developer made up their loses by charging higher rental/selling rates.  Mom-and-Pop local businesses have founded harder to move to this higher rental district.  So, the developer sought more chain businesses populate the Promenade retail space.  

Now, not all businesses now within the Promenade are going to make it for the long term.  When those that do not make, like By Gollys and The Works Pizza restaurants, this opens the door for more local higher end restaurants moving in to take their place.  We will achieve our goal for more high-end restaurants to populate the Promenade.  It will take a bit more time.  You can be assured that the city is is always pushing for more higher end restaurants, and we will continue to do so.

Grammas Center

This $50 million dollar project is going to be built on the other side of US Rte. 42 down from the Promenade Center between Brilliance Ave. and Bristow Drive.  For the past 15 years the Grammas family has held onto this property waiting for the right time to develop it.  A couple of years ago, Paul and Nick Grammas came to the city to work with us to develop their property.  They plan to build a higher end mixed use with 13,100 square feet of retail space.  Additionally, they plan to build 12 higher end condos along Brilliance Avenue. 

For our part, the city plans to extend Brilliance Avenue to the Mt. Zion Road roundabout.  The new Brilliance Avenue extension will provide greater access to the new Grammas Center from Mt. Zion Road, and provide greater connectivity for Harmony residents to Mt. Zion Road without having to go out to US Rte. 42.  This project is planned for completion some time in 2024.

Graeter’s/Braxton Center

Richard Graeter has purchased 5.6 acres of the new Kroger outlots next to the Wild Wings restaurant location.  He is selling half this property to Braxton Brewery so they and another food retailer will be building on the other half of this property.  Both developers will be building a center outdoor location so customers can sit and enjoy their purchased ice cream or beer.  Additionally, this outdoor center will serve as an event center for both retailers.  This project is planned to be completed in 2023-24.

I am asked how we got Graeter’s to come to Union.  They were deciding between Union and Indianapolis to build.  All I can say is that it is nice that Richard Graeter is my Masonic Lodge Brother and good friend.  I am also asked how we got Braxton Brewery to come home to Union.  (For those that do not know that Jake and Greg Rouse, owners of Braxton Brewery, started their company at their home on Braxton Road Union KY.)  Jake and Greg Rouse are good friends of Richard Graeter and my good friends too.  It was quite easy for me to pitch to them that they should come home to Union…and with it being a joint venture with Graeter’s, it was a no brainer.  I am happy to have helped to bring this project to Union.

Union Point Center

I have always had a strong relationship with the Grammas family.  In 2021, I was able to secure purchasing the Grammas property between Old Union Road and new Rte. 42 at Brilliance Ave. for the purpose of building our new city building and Town Square.  The Grammas family had a $5.6 million offer from a developer, but the city purchased it for $4 million because that deal was dependent on it getting approved by the city…or not approved.  Our deal was an immediate payment. It supports the old saying…a bird in the hand is worth more than two in the bush!

The new city building and Town Square will be completed in the Spring of 2027.  It will be the central gather place for all those who live in zip code 41091 and beyond.  I am proud of our Public Works team who quarter backed the completion of the new centerpiece of the City of Union.

Taxation and Licensing

There has been some confusion about City of Union Taxation.  I would like to clarify any mis-perceptions.

Property Taxation:  I have served as your Mayor for the past nearly 12 years.  This administration has not raised Property Tax in all that time.  Your current Property Tax is .201 per $100 assessed valuation on all real property.  I voted for this year to lower property to $0.196 per $100 valuation for the next year.  Union residents should not have to pay more tax; they should pay less.

Business Licensing:  The cost of the Business License is $50…a nominal fee covering administrative costs.  The purpose of this part of the legislation is…to help the city to better keep track of all businesses operating with the city limits.

Payroll Taxation:  A 2% Payroll Tax is assessed among only those who work within the city limits of Union.  This is important:

• If one lives in the City of Union, but does not work within the city limits, he or she does not pay payroll taxation!  Most Union residents fall within this category.
• If one does not live in the City of Union but works within the city limits, he or she pays payroll taxation.  
• If one lives and and works in the City of Union, he or she pays payroll taxation.

Now to be clear to all City of Union businesses…the stated Payroll Tax is not a Business Tax!  Union does not charge business entities on gross receipts from business conducted within the city…0%!  Please do not get confused…the City of Union passed a Payroll Tax not a Business Tax!

The purpose of this Payroll Taxation is to offset the costs of building and developing the new Town Square and new City Building…fulfilling a promise made to Union residents when we took office…and, the growing costs fixing and repairing roads and other infrastructure.

Future Initiatives

Promenade developers will soon be developing the Kahmann Farm into a new higher end residential development.  The city helped the developer, after he agreed for this property to be annexed into Union, to change this property’s zoning “from one house per acre” “to house clusters with lots of green space”.  This project is planned to be completed sometime in 2025-26.