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Committee recommends TIF grant and parking to preserve Berry House; developer to restore historic façade
Summary
The committee recommended a tax-increment financing redevelopment agreement enabling Geneva Heights LLC to buy and restore the Berry House and an adjacent house, with the city committing a $125,000 TIF grant and up to $50,000 for façade restoration; angled parking is proposed to address long‑term church parking needs.
The committee recommended a tax‑increment financing (TIF) redevelopment agreement to support the preservation of the Berry House and create a long‑term parking solution tied to Baker Memorial United Methodist Church.
Derek, city staff, described the three‑party agreement among the city, Baker Church and the developer Geneva Heights LLC (referred to in the discussion as Bob Rasmussen). He said the city would offer a $125,000 grant from the Central Downtown TIF to help restore two houses (the Berry House and an adjacent property owned by the church) and a $50,000 contribution if the developer restores the original stone façade — an expense the developer estimated at about $41,000. “The developer agrees to landmark the Berry House,” Derek said, and the funding would come from the TIF so the general fund would not be impacted.
As part of the project concept, staff presented a plan to add angled parking on 3rd Avenue near the church. The initial engineering concept showed about 10 angled spaces with an estimate of roughly $180,000 for that segment; Derek said staff hopes to expand the count where feasible but cautioned that expanding farther south could trigger IDOT approval and raise costs. He summarized the total estimated cost range for the combined parking and grant work as roughly $350,000 to $425,000, with current estimates nearer the low end.
Council members praised the negotiated outcome as a solution that met multiple goals: preservation of a locally significant historic building, returning properties to the tax rolls (they currently generate no property taxes while owned by the church), and providing a mechanism to address the church’s parking needs. Several members thanked staff and the church for collaborating; one member noted the church could reinstate or terminate shared‑parking agreements for adjacent lots under the proposed terms, and staff clarified certain lots would have different termination terms (60‑day termination for one lot; a 20‑year term for another shared‑parking arrangement).
The committee passed the recommendation by roll call vote and will return to council for final approvals and for review of the final parking design, which staff said would come back for City Council approval.
Action: committee recommended approval of the TIF redevelopment agreement; final design approvals and contractual details remain for subsequent council consideration.
