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City expands TIF #2 boundaries |
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Tuesday, 01 July 2008 |
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By Carol Anders
Staff Writer
PLYMOUTH — Last night, members of the Plymouth Redevelopment Commission voted unanimously to expand the boundary for TIF (Tax Increment Financing) District #2. TIF #2 was formally named the East Jefferson/Central Business District and is commonly referred to now as TIF #2.
As the board was reviewing the list of projects concerning economic development in the three TIF Districts, it was decided to include the area where the “Dimmitt Building” at 113 S. Michigan St. is now located in anticipataion of future development.
A portion of the resolution concerning the matter is as follows: “Recent changes in the law of redevelopment will take effect July 1. Among those changes is the requirement that redevelopment projects must be within or directly connected to the allocation area. To eliminate any question of ‘connectivity’ to the allocation area, the Redevelopment Commission finds it prudent to expand the boundary to include all the targeted property.”
Although Plymouth Mayor Mark Senter and Plymouth City Attorney Nelson Chipman had made a request to the Redevelopment board at its last meeting not to expand TIF areas, Chipman did support the expansion at the June 30 meeting.
Chipman said, “I think this resolution is a good forward movement.”
Board member Tom Pedavoli was not present for the vote.
• Also added to project lists were the financing, construction and rehabilitation of sidewalks and planters in the downtown, including those streets which intersect with Michigan Street in the downtown.
Redevelopment and the city of Plymouth joined forces to start the project of replacing or repairing bricks. Each pledged $20,000 towards the project. However, due to the severe weather conditions over the winter months, the number of bricks that needed work increased. The project could not be completed within the $40,000 budget.
Redevelopment Board Vice President Frank Filson had approached the Plymouth Common Council to seek additional funds. The council members asked Filson and others to look into alternative construction measures that would be more economically feasible.
The matter is still being reviewed.
It was noted at the board meeting that Filson plans to ask to be placed on the agenda of the first council meeting in July to report on the scope of the project.
• The Redevelopment board has until July 15, 2008 to inform the Marshall County Auditor of any modifications they are making concerning what portion of the captured taxes they intend to use. Modifications would affect the 2009 tax rates, according to Plymouth Clerk-Treasurer Toni Hutchings.
Chipman said, “Communities get used to that (TIF) revenue stream. It takes some discipline to shut off that spigot.”
Local businessman John Oliver spoke briefly on what effect releasing some TIF funds in TIF #1 would mean. He indicated that the benefit would ultimately be for the taxpayers.
Chipman said, “Plymouth has more than 10 percent of its assessed value locked into TIFs.”
Redevelopment has scheduled a special meeting for July 9, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the matter further.
• The board also briefly discussed what needs to be completed on the former G&G property downtown. Two buildings that were on the property have been demolished.
There is $55,000 left in the monies set aside for the project. Several board members and audience members shared their concern that some type of seeding needs to be done to keep the area where two buildings stood from turning to mud and weeds. Redevelopment member Ed DeMont suggested turning the project over to the Park Board.
“It’s going to be their park,” he said, adding, “We need to get the Park Board involved right now. We don’t need to let any grass grow under our feet.”
There was also some discussion as to what Plymouth city crews could complete.
Oliver said, “Other than electrical, we have city people doing it right now. Paying someone to do something we can do ourselves is a foreign idea.”
Chipman said he will look into whether Redevelopment monies can be transferred to city departments. Department heads will also be contacted for their input. |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 July 2008 )
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