Residents say developer "bait-and-switch" on diesel plant redevelopment; council urged to review OPRA and abatements
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Summary
Members of the public told council that the proposed diesel plant redevelopment has shifted from a planned public event center to private condos, raising questions about tax abatements, OPRA filings and public notice; a resident urged new council scrutiny in 2026.
Several residents used public comment at the Dec. 15 meeting to raise concerns that a redevelopment of the old diesel plant has changed materially from the project presented previously to the public.
Jim Hagen read from an email and told council the developer’s plan has shifted from a mixed-use event center to "a 100% condos" build-out with six condos inside the existing building and additional detached condo units on-site. Hagen said that transformation, discussed at an EDC Brownfield meeting in August, may make prior incentive structures and OPRA (Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act) filings inappropriate for the new use and argued the public has not been properly informed.
Hagen's reading listed specific worries: changed project scope not disclosed in subsequent staff updates to council; tax-abatement and OPRA applications filed under a different proposed use; potential inequity if public incentives benefit high-end private residences; and a call for the new council majority in 2026 to reexamine the project. He urged transparency and more public engagement before the city proceeds with incentives tied to the earlier build-out concept.
Council did not take action on the comments at the meeting; they were entered for future consideration. City staff and commissions previously reviewed versions of the project at EDC Brownfield meetings, and council members said the item could be raised again for formal consideration when related agreements or incentive requests are on an agenda.