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Council OKs declaratory resolution to create Cooper Economic Revitalization Area; TIF and abatement steps still to come
Summary
The Michigan City Common Council voted unanimously on June 3 to adopt a declaratory resolution establishing the Cooper Economic Revitalization Area (ERA), beginning the multi-step process that could lead to a project-specific tax increment financing (TIF) district and a 10-year tax abatement request later this summer.
The Michigan City Common Council voted 8-0 June 3 to adopt a declaratory resolution establishing the Cooper Economic Revitalization Area, a preliminary step city officials said is needed before a project-specific tax increment financing district and any tax abatement can be considered.
The ERA resolution, introduced by Councilman (identified in the transcript as) Mister Beatrice, passed by roll call with all eight members present voting aye; no roll-call “no” votes or abstentions were recorded.
City officials said the ERA creates the legal framework to pursue a TIF and potential tax abatement for a large private redevelopment project. According to remarks in the meeting, the ERA would extend for about 40 years, the TIF would be limited to 25 years, and any tax abatement under consideration would be structured as a 10‑year abatement. The council’s adoption of the ERA does not itself approve a TIF or abatement.
Clarence Hall (identified in the meeting as an EDCMC director) and other redevelopment representatives briefed the council in executive session about the prospective project and asked the council to begin the ERA process; more specific project paperwork and a TIF declaratory resolution are expected in coming weeks. City legal counsel and redevelopment staff said they have contacted outside counsel (Randolph Rampolla, per the meeting) to prepare the required documents and timeline.
Council members and staff emphasized that further approvals will be required. “We’re not establishing the TIF for the abatement tonight,” a city attorney said during the discussion; rather, the ERA enables the city to move forward with project-specific TIF and abatement steps that will return to the council. Multiple council members said they expect to review the detailed TIF and abatement materials and suggested scheduling a workshop to walk through the specifics when those documents are available.
The council’s action tonight begins a formal review process. Redevelopment staff said they plan to return to the council with paperwork “in a very timely manner,” possibly requiring a special redevelopment commission meeting to keep the schedule. No final tax abatement or TIF ordinance was adopted at the June 3 meeting.
What happens next: city attorneys and redevelopment staff will draft the TIF declaratory resolution and related documents; the council indicated it will likely hold a workshop and detailed review before any final votes on a TIF or abatement. The council recorded the ERA vote by roll call: Malinski (aye), Beatri (aye), Coulter (aye), Dabney (aye), Cora (aye), Lee (aye), Moldenhauer (aye) and Nelson (aye).
