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Redevelopment Agency approves amendment to prioritize TIF funds for visitor center
Summary
On Sept. 24, 2024 the Redevelopment Agency approved a first amendment to a tax-increment participation agreement with Zion Mountain Local Service District to increase TIF prioritization for a visitor (Discovery) Center; the change cleared the way for pursuing supplemental CIB funding to fill a construction cost gap.
The Redevelopment Agency approved a first amendment to a tax-increment participation agreement with the Zion Mountain Local Service District on Sept. 24, 2024 in the Commission Chambers of the King County Courthouse, authorizing an increased prioritization of tax increment funds to support a visitor (Discovery) Center and related projects.
Agency members and a project speaker described the change as a funding-priority adjustment rather than a new appropriation: the amendment reallocates existing or anticipated TIF receipts so the Discovery Center becomes a first funding priority, enabling the district to pursue a supplemental application to the CIB to close a remaining construction-cost gap. An unidentified speaker who described project history said the facility’s interior design grew from about 8,000 square feet in early planning to more than 15,000 square feet as stakeholders (including law enforcement and search-and-rescue) revised program needs.
The speaker said outside funding sources have reduced the district’s share of certain costs but a hard-cost gap remains. The speaker noted, “Design for Ever Group has also procured a grant of a little bit shy of 5,000,000 for the outdoor experience corridor,” and that the state has contributed an unspecified amount. The speaker also said, “the project has definitely gotten more exciting,” and added that the amendment is needed so the district can seek the supplemental CIB funding to finish construction.
Officials reported active construction milestones: a floor slab for one building was poured the morning of the meeting; cross-laminated timber (CLT) panels had been delivered and were curing; timber-frame trusses from Euclid were on site and bolted, with visible vertical assembly expected later in the week or the following week.
Procedurally, the chair said the agency could approve the amendment by voice vote and then sign the agreement, though a separate resolution remained optional. The amendment submitted by Zion Mountain was reviewed by the agency attorney and presented to commissioners for questions; one commissioner reiterated concerns about starting new CRAs/RDAs and referenced a separate water project discussion.
The chair moved approval of the amendment, stating, “I move that we approve the first amendment to the tax increment participation agreement by and between the agency and Zion Mountain Local Service District within the E Zion CRA project area for the purpose of funding the visitor center and related projects.” The motion passed by unanimous voice vote (three recorded “Aye” responses). The agreement will be signed following the vote.
The meeting adjourned after the vote. The amendment’s approval is procedural authorization to reprioritize tax-increment receipts toward the Discovery Center and to permit the district to pursue supplemental CIB funding; no additional appropriation details or CIB timelines were provided at the meeting.
