Council creates three Francis Street paving districts and fast-tracks redevelopment segment with state grant covering about 75%

North Platte — The North Platte City Council on April 15 approved first readings creating three paving districts on Francis Street as part of a multi-phase redevelopment intended to connect the corridor from Tabor Avenue to Newberry Access and support new industrial and residential parcels.

City staff said the work includes an L-shaped segment to link existing concrete at Tabor to Bridal and to connect to Lutheran Family Services; a mid-segment from Devco Avenue to Bicentennial Avenue; and an east segment from Bicentennial Avenue to Newberry Access. All three items (ordinances 4204, 4205 and 4206) passed on first reading.

Brent Brooklyn, city engineer, described the project as a series of 42-foot-wide street sections that will ultimately provide two lanes plus a center turn lane where feasible. He said the redevelopment corridor will include a 10-foot north-side sidewalk for the full Francis segment and new storm drainage to move water toward the river.

Councilmembers and staff discussed funding mechanics. For the eastern segment, Brooklyn said the city won a narrow state grant that met specific criteria for that block; staff said the grant will pay roughly 75 percent of the segment cost and the developer will be responsible for the remaining 25 percent. Councilmember Lucas asked whether the redevelopment agreement should be amended; staff and the mayor said they will revise the redevelopment agreement to reflect the grant and developer responsibilities.

Councilmember Lucas and other members pressed for clarity on assessments and TIF (tax increment financing). Staff said the mid-segment would be assessed to the developer under the redevelopment agreement and that eligible costs, including water, sewer and paving, can be offset with TIF proceeds where allowed. Staff also said water and sewer availability varies by segment: some sections already have water and sewer, some will require developer-installed sanitary and water lines, and storm drainage is present in parts of the corridor.

Councilmembers emphasized the potential development impact. Gary (Chamber Development Corporation) noted the corridor represents roughly 8,500 feet of new or improved collector street (about 1.6 miles) and predicted the work would accelerate development timelines by several years. Council discussion touched on traffic control at Newberry and coordination with state highway improvements.

Votes at a glance: Ordinance 4204 (create Paving District No. 839) — adopted on first reading. Ordinance 4205 (create Paving District No. 840) — adopted on first reading. Ordinance 4206 (create Paving District No. 841) — adopted on first reading.

Councilmembers said the combination of state grant funds and developer contributions should speed construction and reduce long-term costs compared with phased, later-in-time builds. Staff will amend the redevelopment agreement to reflect the grant funding and developer obligations and return to council with the revised documents and next readings of the ordinances.