Committee backs tax abatement for Burton's Laundry site on South Main Street

Eric Glavich, director of Growth and Opportunity, presented a declaratory resolution on Feb. 9 seeking a six-year real property tax abatement for petitioner David A. Neuffer LLC (Burton's Laundry) for a new ~4,600-square-foot laundromat on South Main Street. Glavich said staff estimates the project cost at about $2,000,000 ($1.2 million building construction and $800,000 equipment), with roughly $25,000 per year in property taxes if the project proceeds and an estimated $112,000 in taxes abated over six years; he said the property currently generates about $1,300 per year in taxes.

Petitioner David Neuffer described site outreach and past investments, said Burton’s will aim to keep prices below market for several years and that the new location would fill a neighborhood need. Neuffer said maintenance and cleanliness issues at an existing location had been addressed with increased staff visits, new management and additional lighting.

Council discussion covered operations, hours (opening 8 a.m., last wash 8 p.m., close at 9 p.m.), local hiring (the petitioner expects to hire locally, with four jobs projected) and neighborhood impacts. Council members expressed support for investment on the South Side and asked staff and the petitioner to monitor cleanliness and staffing.

The committee moved and seconded to send the resolution (Bill 2605) to the full council with a favorable recommendation; roll call recorded four ayes and the measure will proceed to the full council for final consideration.