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Prineville council initiates urban renewal agency covering 173 acres
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 1295 to initiate an urban renewal agency process for a proposed 173‑acre district encompassing downtown and nearby areas; planning director Joshua Smith outlined the public process, blight findings and financial projections estimating roughly $55 million in tax increment over 30 years.
The Prineville City Council voted to adopt Ordinance 1295 on first and final presentation, initiating the process to form an urban renewal agency and begin the plan and report process for a proposed 173‑acre urban renewal district.
Planning Director Joshua Smith told the council the ordinance initiates the agency and does not, by itself, adopt projects or expenditures. "This part of the process is simply initiating the agency," Smith said, and outlined the next steps: send the draft plan and report to affected taxing districts (notifications expected Aug. 28), assemble required reports and blight findings, hold planning commission hearings for recommendations, and schedule a public hearing for adoption (projected Oct. 22). Smith said the plan will be available to council members before the motion to transmit it to taxing districts.
What was presented: Smith described the proposed boundary (173 acres) that primarily covers downtown and adjoining areas and walked through broad project categories the plan will include — sidewalks and streetscape, pocket parks and public spaces, façade and historic‑preservation work, business recruitment and grant/loan programs. He said the report must show compliance with state rules (ORS) and include blight findings and feasibility/financial projections. The presentation included a projection of about $55 million in tax increment over 30 years and a maximum indebtedness figure presented as about $47.9 million (figures presented by staff for planning and feasibility).
Council action and next steps: Council moved and seconded the ordinance for initiation; the motion passed unanimously. If approved at subsequent hearings, the agency would be formally established following statutorily required notice periods and transmittals to the assessor; staff projected an effective date in late November in the schedule discussed. The council will review the detailed plan and report ahead of the scheduled hearings.
Sources: Presentation and Q&A by Joshua Smith, Planning Director, to Prineville City Council (Aug. 13).
