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Developers pitch 1 West mixed‑use project; council deadlocks on proposed TIF and 10‑year abatement
Summary
A developer described an $11.2 million mixed‑use project on Coal Mine Loop; council discussion about up to $1M commercial TIF rebates and a proposed 10‑year, 100% residential abatement resulted in a tie and no formal approval.
Developers and city staff presented terms for a proposed agreement with 1 West, LLC — a three‑story, mixed‑use development on Coal Mine Loop — and the city council then debated local incentives on Aug. 18.
Project details presented by developer Brian Ridge: the 3.3‑acre site would host about 11,500 square feet of retail, 11,500 square feet of commercial office space and up to 32 apartments on the upper two floors. The developer said the project leverages workforce housing tax credits awarded in 2024 but still faces an estimated financing gap of about $2 million (presentation, SEG 843–881).
Proposed assistance: staff described terms that would provide up to 10 annual economic development/TIF rebate payments equal to 100% of the tax increment from the commercial portion, not to exceed $1,000,000 in aggregate. Separately, the residential portion was proposed for a 10‑year, 100% residential property tax abatement on the value added by improvements assessed as residential (staff summary).
Council discussion: members questioned whether city policy should be changed before approving a 10‑year, 100% abatement (the city's current sliding scale is 5 years). Several council members recommended separating the commercial TIF rebate from the residential abatement in decision‑making; there was also discussion about precedent and fairness for future housing projects and transparency on brownfield grant outcomes. One council member noted that the developer has applied for a brownfield grant which, if awarded, could reduce the local assistance need (council discussion, SEG 1039–1048).
Outcome: council took a roll call on a resolution supporting the proposed terms; the meeting record indicates a tied vote (3–3) and the item did not advance at this meeting.
What to watch: the developer indicated the goal to break ground in September if timing and incentives align and noted the workforce tax credit timing and a pending brownfield application could affect feasibility. Council members signaled a possible future policy review before committing to long‑term abatement durations.
