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Rail District property owner urges council to reconsider grant rule that bars expansions
Summary
A Rail District property owner told council that current EDC/CDC grants disqualify projects that increase square footage; he asked the city to allow local boards greater discretion to support redevelopment that adds space.
Property owner and Rail District Advisory Board member Matt Bischoff told the City Council on April 15 that he was surprised to learn that downtown Rail District grant programs disqualify projects that expand square footage.
Bischoff said those grant programs were intended to improve building facades and safety and to help smaller property owners bring buildings up to code, but that the current rule — which he said automatically disqualifies applicants who add square footage — discourages owners who want to rebuild or expand to match nearby new development.
"I think that that should be looked at," Bischoff told council. "The city's putting a ton of money. . . and I think the private building owners want to match that." He asked that the Economic Development Corporation and Community Development Corporation boards have discretion to consider each project on its merits and invited staff and council members to review specific building proposals.
Mayor Jeff Chaney asked Bischoff to provide details about his building so council and staff could follow up; a staff response was offered after the meeting.
Bischoff's remarks came during the public-input portion of the meeting and followed council reports about EDC and CDC bylaw cleanup and the planned addition of an ex officio board member to bring private-sector expertise to those boards.
