Kearney ' The Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to approve an ordinance authorizing a residential redevelopment project at 105 South Grove Street and a corresponding abatement agreement under the city's K-353 redevelopment plan. The board passed the ordinance on second reading after the economic development director summarized the application and recommendation.

Carolyn Yaczek, Kearney economic development director, told the board that the redevelopment plan was approved previously by the board on Oct. 21, 2024 and is intended "to strengthen the economic vitality of the redevelopment area" known as Original Kearney. She said the application is the second residential project submitted under the K-353 plan and would place a new duplex (single-family attached unit) on a currently vacant lot at 105 South Grove. "Each side of that unit will consist of 2 bedrooms, 2 and a half baths, and a single car garage," Yaczek said.

Nut graf: The board acted to enable private redevelopment with a tax-abatement incentive. The K-353 program, as presented, offers a Level B incentive that grants 100% abatement on the increase in value (as described in the application) and the K-353 board recommended approval with conditions; the aldermen's vote means the developer can proceed subject to those conditions and local permitting.

Yaczek provided project and financial details from the application packet: an estimated total project budget stated in staff materials as approximately $398,000, allowable project costs listed as about $380,000, and an estimated tax abatement of $61,144. She said the K-353 Redevelopment Corporation reviewed the application on July 15 and voted unanimously to recommend approval with the condition that nuisance conditions be abated and that the existing garage be demolished before issuance of a certificate of occupancy. That recommendation is recorded as K-353 board resolution 20-25-3 in the meeting packet.

Mayor and board members asked no questions during the presentation. The ordinance was identified in the meeting as bill number 36 20 25, read by title on first and second reading, and approved on second reading. Voting was recorded as Alderman Spencer: Aye; Alderman King: Aye; Alderman Lehman: Aye; Alderman Holt: Aye; the motion passed unanimously.

The applicant, identified in staff materials as Mike Miller of Lynn Scott Construction, LLC, was not present at the meeting. Yaczek noted the notice of the public hearing and the required tax-impact materials were mailed as part of the application process. The K-353 board's condition requiring demolition of the existing garage is tied to issuance of the certificate of occupancy, per the redevelopment board's recommendation.

The ordinance approval authorizes the city to enter the abatement agreement described in the packet and allows the developer to pursue building permits and remediation identified as conditions. No additional requirements or new city funding commitments were announced at the meeting.

Ending: The redevelopment project will proceed under the terms presented and the abatement agreement; staff will process the required demolition and nuisance abatement items before issuing a certificate of occupancy, per the redevelopment board's recommendation.