Council reviews revisions to revitalization tax credit program to focus on targeted uses and added diligence

The council reviewed a staff-led update to the City of College Park’s revitalization tax credit (RTC) program designed to clarify eligible project types, strengthen application materials and allow staff and the council to evaluate economic impacts more thoroughly.

Economic development staff presented proposed ordinance amendments and updated application guidelines that would broaden the program’s focus beyond generic redevelopment to emphasize certain public‑benefit uses, including senior housing, workforce and vocational-training facilities, affordable student housing (as defined in project proposals), community space, and environmentally sustainable building practices. The draft includes new requests for project financials, pro forma statements and impact metrics so staff can evaluate whether a tax credit is necessary to make a project feasible.

City Attorney Stephanie Anderson and economic development staff said they intend to preserve council discretion: meeting the program criteria would not automatically guarantee a credit, and the city would apply additional diligence for longer-term credits. Council members debated the use of a “but-for” financial test (showing that a project would not proceed without a tax credit). Staff suggested reserving the most stringent financial-test requirements for larger or longer-term credits while keeping flexibility for smaller, short-term incentives.

Council members supported including sustainability criteria and vocational training uses. Several council members stressed that any student‑housing projects receiving incentives should meet local affordability expectations and that the city should expect developers to disclose unit costs and affordability metrics during the review. Staff said the draft ordinance will return to the council for introduction after further refinement.