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Council advances TIF and neighborhood-authority steps for London Gateway development
Summary
Council members discussed and moved forward on several tax-increment financing measures tied to the London Gateway development, amended one ordinance and left related items for finalization; a separate New Community Authority resolution was introduced and amended for a typographical date correction.
London City Council members on March 20 continued deliberations on a package of tax-increment financing (TIF) measures and a proposed new-community authority for the London Gateway development, amending one transfer ordinance and leaving others for further review.
The council discussed three related ordinances that would create incentive districts, accept temporary city title to certain parcels for TIF implementation, and authorize TIF agreements for parcels described in project documents. One ordinance (No. 208-24) was amended during the meeting to add a parcel inadvertently left off and to add a transfer and indemnification agreement; the council then voted to adopt that amended ordinance.
Council members said the TIF package and the new-community-authority work together: the TIF would allow service payments in lieu of taxes to fund infrastructure improvements, and the proposed London Gateway New Community Authority (NCA) would organize governance for parts of the development. Council members and staff noted detailed attachments and agreements outline the authority's boundaries, anticipated public benefits and revenue flows; council also asked staff and legal counsel to confirm where a previously discussed allocation (a developer-proposed 20% portion cited earlier in negotiations) appears in the formal documents.
Councilwoman Shannon Trainer and Councilman Andrew Hitt, sponsors on the TIF ordinances, described ongoing negotiations and scheduled another meeting next week with key parties to finalize details before final readings. One ordinance (207-24) was left on the agenda for another week to allow those follow-ups; others remain scheduled for further readings.
Separately, the council introduced Resolution 134-25 to establish the London Gateway New Community Authority. Members amended a typographical date in the whereas clause (changing 12/05/2025 to 12/05/2024) and indicated the formal attachments defining the authority’s governance and projected benefits would be adopted by reference. Council members discussed public-safety and capital uses for proceeds and asked that the administration post a notice asking for interested applicants to fill the city’s four appointments to the seven-member NCA board.
Why it matters: the TIFs and NCA together are the primary local financing tools the city is using to pay for infrastructure for a large mixed-use development; the council emphasized they want the legal documents and oversight provisions resolved before final approval.
What’s next: sponsors said they expect more legal review with Frost Brown Todd and other advisors at a follow-up meeting; several items were left for final readings at the next council meeting.
