Council hears updates on DRI projects; small-project fund applications and Reagan housing tax credit award noted

City staff and council members updated the council on multiple Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) projects, a small-projects grant round and an affordable housing award.

Staff reported progress on a bank redevelopment project (window and apartment fit-out work), a planned Macaroni Company site apartment conversion, and a proposed Ehlers Building purchase-sale agreement under negotiation. The Ehlers Building was described as a proposed mixed-use DRI project with a first-phase cost of about $1,800,000 and a possible phase two adding an additional $1.2–$1.5 million if fully funded; staff said they would not disclose the developer’s name at this stage.

Officials said the DRI small-projects fund drew 11 applications requesting about $800,000; the total available DRI small-projects funding was described as $473,000, with city and administrative procedures noted and some administrative fees allocated to the consultant Jody Faulconer of JF Consulting and Grants. Staff said some additional funding might become available and that a review committee will evaluate eligibility and project scopes.

Council members also discussed the Reagan development, which staff said received housing tax credits to support roughly 80 workforce housing apartments at Fourth and Washington streets. Specific tax-credit dollar totals were discussed during the meeting; staff noted the award as part of the project’s financing.

No council vote was required on these updates. Staff said they will proceed with project review and bring eligible small-projects back to the appropriate committee for further action.