|
Redevelopment board talks TIFS |
|
|
Wednesday, 18 June 2008 |
|
By Carol Anders
Staff Writer
PLYMOUTH — The city’s Redevelopment Commission met Tuesday night to discuss the addition of projects for the three TIF (Tax Increment Financing) districts in the city.
New legislation at the state level has made it mandatory for project lists for TIF districts throughout the state to be declared by a July 1 deadline. Projects may still be added after the deadline, but the process will become more complicated.
All but one of the members of the commission was appointed after the new administration took over in January. Much of the discussion at the last few meetings has been to review the various projects already started or planned as well as receive input from city department heads as to projects they feel will be required in the next 25 years.
Mayor Mark Senter spoke briefly to the board saying, “July 1 is not the end of redevelopment.” He then asked the commission members not to enlarge the TIF districts. Senter said the state has made it more burdensome to add projects. He said, “The state has made it difficult for a purpose.”
City Attorney Nelson Chipman confirmed the mayor’s wishes. Chipman said, “The mayor’s directive is not to do this (add projects) by the deadline. The June 30 date is not a magical date.” Chipman added, “You should not be trying to scramble around to skirt the new law. Projects should stand on their own merit.”
Chipman said, “The public has demanded property tax relief.”
After confirming that two projects in the TIF # I district were already on the project lists, the board did not add any future projects. The two projects that the board felt were needed included the force main lowering on Oak Road and the addition of a lift station on Pine Road.
The commission members did vote to add one project to TIF #2.
The previous Redevelop-ment Commission had enter-ed into a brick sidewalks and planters restoration project along the main street of the downtown area. Redevelopment paid $20,000 and the city matched that amount to contract for the project. It was discovered after the initial $40,000 was depleted, that there was more severe damage to the brick sidewalk areas and planters than was originally thought. The shortfall left several areas still in need of repair.
Redevelopment member Frank Filson had approached the Common Council for an additional $30,000 for the project. He was asked by council members to explore alternative methods of repairing the bricks.
Two Common Council members were present at the Redevelopment meeting on Tuesday. Both Chuck Ripley and Mike Delp said they were only asking Filson to search alternatives.” Delp said, “We are going to do something before winter sets in.”
However, Chipman said, “It’s not in the (city) budget.”
Redevelopment did add the brick restoration project to the TIF #2 list. The remainder of the project is estimated to cost $60,000.
The board members also amended the TIF # 2 district to include the building that stands along Michigan Street just south of the Yellow River. The building is commonly known as the Cook Brothers or Dimmitt building. That property lies within a proposed South Gateway Enhancement Project for which the city has already received a grant.
Adding to the project list for TIF # 2 will also require a public hearing. That hearing has been set for June 30.Adding a project to the list does not necessarily mean that the project will ever be undertaken.
No changes were made to the TIF # 3 district.
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 19 June 2008 )
|
