Johnston council approves amended development agreement for Bombers golf and hotel project

The Johnston City Council voted 5-1 to approve an amended and restated purchase, sale and development agreement with Johnson Golf Development LLC that redefines the scope, tax-increment financing and timelines for the Bombers golf and family entertainment project and an associated hotel.

City staff said the restated agreement consolidates prior amendments and clarifies project requirements. The document sets the golf-entertainment facility at about 80,000 square feet with at least 36 hitting bays and adds mini-golf and bowling amenities. The hotel is described as an "upscale select-service" property with a minimum of 65,000 square feet and at least 100 rooms. The developer agreed to increase the minimum number of full-time-equivalent jobs from 150 to 200.

Why it matters: The agreement alters the development's financing profile and incentives. It raises the tax-increment financing (TIF) rebate cap and the minimum assessment the project must meet, which changes projected rebate calculations and the schedule of tax revenues that will be rebated back to the developer.

Key terms and financial changes - The agreement increases the authorized TIF rebate from a prior cap of $18,500,000 to a new cap of…