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Resident urges new approach for Independence Square redevelopment after decades of tax incentives
Summary
A long-time resident told council that decades of TIFs, SIDs and redevelopment plans have not solved blight in Independence Square and urged the city to consider different strategies rather than repeated large investments.
A resident told the Independence City Council she believes nearly 42 years of tax incentives and redevelopment programs for Independence Square have not achieved the intended revitalization and urged council to consider different approaches.
Becky Hague of 10516 East 20 Sixth Terrace spoke during the citizens request time and reviewed a history of the squares redevelopment tools, including an Independence Square Special Business District ordinance she identified as ordinance 775; a 1984 blight study; a redevelopment plan she described as the Independence Square 353 redevelopment plan; tax increment financing; and a special improvement district (SID) adopted in August 2020. She said the special tax rate created by the special business district was intended to finance improvements and not be deposited in the general fund.
Hague said the TIF had produced about $1.5 million from sales and pilot fees through its last reporting date of June 1, 2023, but that some properties in the area remain in similar condition to what was documented in prior blight studies. She said that, as of February 2007, more than 50% of the redevelopment area was owned by government entities or tax-exempt owners, and that currently approximately 40 properties are government-owned while about 45 properties are held by a single LLC owner, according to her statement.
Hague urged council to consider strategies other than continuing to "throw millions of dollars at it," and suggested the area might grow more sustainably if redevelopment reflected what Independence residents want. “Maybe we should stop talking about building apartments to bring in different people and figure out what the independence residents want,” she said.
Hague did note examples of businesses in the square that are successful, including a game place, theater, coffee shops, breweries and restaurants, and contrasted busy venues with other storefronts where she said she often finds herself as the only customer.
The comments were delivered during public comment period; no council action was taken during the public comment segment. The transcript records the residents history summary and the urging for a new or different approach to achieving the squares redevelopment goals.
