Columbus City Council approves redevelopment plans, infrastructure contracts and multiple licenses

Columbus City — The Columbus City Council on Feb. 18 approved redevelopment plans for two properties, authorized engineering and financial agreements tied to water and bridge projects, accepted equipment and repair funding for public safety, and forwarded two liquor-license management changes to the Nebraska Liquor Control Commission.

The actions followed public hearings and committee reports and were approved by the council during its regular meeting. The council moved the consent agenda with one exclusion and took separate votes on multiple resolutions and staff recommendations.

The redevelopment approvals and housing plan drew the most public comment. The council adopted Resolution R25-23 approving a redevelopment plan for the Cricket LLC project at approximately 1856–303 Third Avenue; city discussion and the applicant said the plan calls for demolition and a rebuild to accommodate ServiceMaster plus additional retail or office space. Andrew Willis, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said the project will require “total demo, asbestos abatement” and substantial exterior and utility work; the applicant is requesting tax-increment financing (TIF) assistance of $197,000 toward an overall renovation estimated at about $1,100,000.

The council also approved Resolution R25-24, the redevelopment plan for the…