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Hillsdale TIFA forms temporary review committee, hears downtown business updates
Summary
TIFA named a temporary Review Committee to examine 2018 statutory changes and financing options, including bonds, and heard updates on a jewelry relocation, a small-business closure, and a delayed Marshalls opening.
The Hillsdale Tax Increment Finance Authority on Jan. 8 established a temporary Review Committee to study statutory changes enacted in 2018 and to bring recommendations for improved efficiency and accuracy to the full TIFA board.
Chair Andrew Gelzer proposed the short-term panel and outlined that it would evaluate financing and income-generating options available to the authority, mentioning issuing bonds as an example. The initial working list of members named to the Review Committee included Gelzer, Cindy Bieszk, Chris Sumnar, R. Gregory Stuchell and Luke Robson. Luke Robson moved to establish the committee and Margaret Braman seconded; the motion carried.
During the meeting’s economic development update, Gelzer said board member Chris Bahash was absent because Hillsdale Jewelers is relocating and expanding; the shop plans to reopen the next Tuesday. Cindy Bieszk reported that Birdie’s & Howell announced publicly it will close by mid-February, although its custom framing work will continue. Board members asked about a delay in the Marshalls grand opening; Gelzer said Marshalls’ delay stemmed from Americans with Disabilities Act requirements for the building’s rear entrance and that the retailer plans to open in spring after addressing those issues.
Votes at a glance: the board approved an amendment to the agenda removing minutes approval, approved the amended agenda, approved structural work for the Dawn Theater organ installation (see separate notice), established the temporary Review Committee, and adjourned. Most motions were recorded in the minutes as "motion carried" without roll-call tallies.
The Review Committee is temporary and will dissolve after it brings recommendations to the full board. The minutes do not record any funding commitments or detailed timelines for the committee’s work.
