Skillman Quarter TIF board approves $1.1 million for Skillman Street edge landscaping between Church and Sedgwick

The Skillman Quarter Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District board voted unanimously to dedicate up to $1,100,000 in district-wide set-aside funds to the city’s Department of Transportation and Public Works to build hardscape, parkway edge landscaping and related pedestrian improvements along Skillman Street between Church Road and Sedgwick Drive.

The board’s approval supplements existing funding already allocated to nearby intersection improvements. Board members and staff said the expanded scope is intended to implement elements of the Skillman Street master plan and improve walkability, visibility and traffic calming for people walking and bicycling — including students who use the route.

At the meeting, board members were told the total additional cost to extend the work to the parkway edges between Church and Sedgwick is just over $1.2 million. The Lake Highlands Public Improvement District (PID) has agreed to pay the engineering and design cost of $108,872 for that extra scope, leaving $1,100,000 requested from the TIF. The presentation stated the…