Grants Pass — At the Dec. 2 workshop the council approved adding funding allocations in the Urban Renewal Agency (URA) five‑year strategy for three priorities: completion of the Owl Lot Plaza (downtown plaza), a redevelopment opportunity plan for the North Star (mixed‑use/housing) site, and a potential housing system‑development‑charge (SDC) buy‑down program to incentivize market‑rate multifamily construction.

Economic development staff reported the Owl Lot Plaza has an engineer’s updated estimate near $1.9 million (bid closing in the coming week) and that the URA earlier committed $1.2 million to the project; the North Star property purchases totaled roughly $2.0 million plus a recent $420,000 acquisition. Staff requested authorization to move forward with an opportunity plan (RFP closed; interviews scheduled) and to develop program details for an SDC buy‑down incentive that would target projects with three or more units.

Councilor Victoria moved and Joel seconded to add funding allocation for the Owl Plaza, the North Star redevelopment opportunity plan and a housing incentive SDC buy‑down program; the motion passed unanimously. Staff will return with drafted municipal‑code changes, program guidelines, estimated per‑unit buy‑down amounts and a schedule for bringing a formal ordinance or resolution before council for adoption.

Why it matters: The URA funds are central to downtown revitalization and housing strategy. The SDC buy‑down program is intended to reduce the up‑front cost burden for multifamily developers and accelerate taxable housing supply; staff noted an SDC example of about $5,000 per unit used in other cities as a reference point while a local per‑unit amount is still to be determined.

What’s next: Staff will finalize the North Star opportunity plan scope and cost (est. $120K–$140K), refine Owl Lot construction estimates after bids are received, and draft SDC buy‑down program documents for January council consideration.