Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tif Feasibility topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Newport council approves $38,590 contract amendment to study downtown infrastructure for possible TIF
Summary
Council authorized a VHB contract amendment to estimate water, sewer and other infrastructure costs for eight downtown parcels and approved expanding feasibility work; the total contract amount approved is $38,590.
The Newport City Council voted Dec. 1 to approve a contract amendment to pay engineering firm VHB to estimate public infrastructure needs and costs tied to a potential downtown tax increment financing (TIF) district.
Brian Gray of Newport Downtown Development said the feasibility work will include camera inspection of Main Street water and sewer lines, a condition and capacity assessment, estimated public infrastructure costs for eight development parcels, and a preliminary desktop environmental review to identify soil sampling needs.
"We've been tasked to develop an application for a TIF district in the Downtown Newport area," Gray said, describing the scope of the engineering work and its role in the later financial feasibility analysis. White & Burke consultant Stephanie Clark explained the "but‑for" test the state requires — showing that public infrastructure intervention is necessary for private redevelopment to proceed in a timely way.
Councilor Carter Finnegan moved to authorize the mayor to sign an amendment for $23,590 in new labor and expenses, in addition to a previously authorized $15,000, bringing the contract total to $38,590. Council discussed funding sources and confirmed the Walmart funds would be used to cover the city's portion; council approved the motion by voice vote.
Consultants said their estimates will include contingency and inflation/escalation factors and will be used by White & Burke to model financial feasibility and to prepare any future TIF application to the state.
