Sandra Chapman/Eyewitness News
Plainfield, Sept. 6 - "We don't know what's coming or what's going," says Dave Henderson.
It's rollercoaster retail in the town of Plainfield. First the Galyans buyout, now plans to build a shopping Metropolis at U.S. 40 and Perry Road are on the verge of a mortgage foreclosure.
J.C. Penney, the lone anchor on the 64-acre development sits amid the dirt. A movie theatre, high-end fashion shops and corporate office buildings all on hold.
Shopper Barbara Ray thinks, "this would be a great place. I mean, I don't know what happened, but we would love it."
Developer, Chris White blames his financial woes on the pullout of its second anchor store, Galyans.
A lawsuit filed in Hendricks County says White failed to make principal payments to Western United Life of Spokane, Washington on a $6.7 million loan. With more than $1 million in late fees tacked on, White and his company, Premier Properties, now owe more than $8 million total.
Shopper Heather Shonkwiler hadn't heard of the problem. "I haven't heard about that at all. I know there's been a lot of construction and dirt moved around."
That's where eight other companies come in. They filed liens claiming White owes them more than $2 million for clearing and excavating work.
All of it is worrisome to Plainfield town officials planning to build new roadways to the development.
In a statement to Eyewitness News, Plainfield Town Manager Rich Carlucci says White "must clear this up or we will not spend one dollar of taxpayer money. It's hard to ignore what happened with Galyans and not feel a bit sensitive."
Shoppers too, like Billy King, keep a close eye. "I just think it's got too big too fast."
Attempts to reach White were unsuccessful. He tells our partners at The Indianapolis Star he met with officials of Dick's Sporting Goods about honoring his agreement with Galyans, but no deal yet.
