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Residents press city to act on Midtown development; callers urge renegotiation of developer contract
Summary
During the city’s public-comment period, Midtown residents and nearby homeowners urged faster action and proposed that the city revisit developer contract terms after years of limited commercial progress; speakers asked for smaller, immediate steps in addition to larger proposals.
Four residents used the May 22 public-comment period to press City Council for action on Midtown redevelopment and to urge alternatives if a major developer fails to complete contracted commercial elements.
Shelby Behm, who identified herself as a Midtown resident, told the council she plans to “relaunch” advocacy to keep Midtown on the agenda and urged “smaller wins” such as signage, grandfathering impact fees and extending sidewalks to Highway 6. “Investing in Midtown isn’t about keeping a promise. It’s about not letting go of a great opportunity,” Behm said.
Another speaker, Michael Bozart, told council the development has stalled in part because of a contractual obligation the developer (identified in the public record as Mr. Muir) has not met — specifically, a roughly 150,000-square-foot multiuse building. “I’m here tonight to ask the city government begin to look at alternate ways to amend or renegotiate that contract so that TIRZ funds and development opportunities can be initiated,” Bozart said. He told council that vacant commercial buildings in other parts of town show there is market risk and that the current contract terms may be preventing progress.
Why it matters: Midtown has been the focus of multi-year discussions involving city investments, developer commitments and public expectations. Residents said public funds tied to Midtown (including incentives and TIRZ/TIF resources that have been discussed in prior meetings) appear underused and urged the council and staff to pursue interim, achievable steps while larger negotiations proceed.
Council response and next steps: Mayor and staff acknowledged the concerns and indicated staff has scheduled follow-up conversations with the developer. Council members told speakers they want updates and that staff will meet with the developer to clarify next steps; one councilmember said staff and the developer already had an upcoming meeting to discuss the developer’s proposals. Several councilmembers asked staff to bring back options that include smaller, immediate actions in the event the larger development plan stalls.
No formal action was taken during the hearing; speakers asked the council to return to the topic in coming weeks.
