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Council weighs 50/50 Route 66 sign, facade grants and incentives to entice reuse of vacant Golden Corral site
Summary
Council approved a 50/50 partnership with Bethany to fund a Route 66 sign, discussed establishing a 50/50 matching grant or façade improvement program to revive vacant commercial properties, and debated using EDA funds or permitting concessions to attract a potential Golden Corral redevelopment; members recommended forming a committee to study incentive options.
The Warr Acres City Council approved a 50/50 cost share with neighboring Bethany for a Route 66 sign at 39th & Hammond and discussed broader economic development tools to revive vacant commercial properties.
Route 66 sign: council approved paying half the local cost (about $17,500) to Bethany for a marker at Hammond, noting Bethany already progressed with approvals and the sign ties into planned Route 66 grant opportunities.
50/50 business reimbursement and façade program: councilors and staff discussed creating a city reimbursement/matching program (50/50) focused on façade or property improvements, with suggested guardrails: a clear program definition (façade improvements rather than an open "catchall"), performance milestones, code enforcement as a backstop, and use of EDA or other funds for competitive incentives.
Golden Corral redevelopment and incentives: a commercial broker presented renewed interest in the 15,000 sq ft Golden Corral property on NW Expressway (major rehab needed). Options discussed included reduced permitting fees, permit fee subsidization through EDA, tax‑increment or sales‑tax rebate structures, and performance milestone requirements. Council favored forming a small committee to evaluate incentive packages and timelines instead of deciding immediately in open session.
Next steps: staff will confirm grant application windows (Route 66 and parks/trails grants), assemble tax‑revenue estimates where possible for ROI analysis, and form a committee to draft detailed incentive criteria and a facade‑improvement program for future council consideration.
