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Whitefish Bay pauses downtown incentive grant program amid TID-1 funding concerns
Summary
Following a CDA recommendation, the village board voted to pause the downtown incentive grant program indefinitely because of reduced TID-1 balances, fewer vacancies in the Silver Spring area, and a desire to reserve funds for potentially catalytic projects when the TID expenditure period ends in October.
Whitefish Bay — The Village Board voted Jan. 6 to pause the downtown incentive grant program after the Community Development Authority recommended holding the program to preserve Tax Increment District (TID-1) funds for larger catalytic projects.
CDA staff member Kelsey told the board the program uses TID-1 funding rather than the general fund; in 2023 the CDA paused active marketing of the program due to reduced vacancy and lower TID balances, and in 2024 only one grant (to Hounds Around Town) was issued. The CDA reiterated that the village should preserve funds for potentially higher-impact projects as the TID's expenditure period approaches its October end date.
Trustees discussed whether the board should formally cancel the program or pause it until the TID-expenditure decisions are finalized; staff said pausing preserves the option to reopen the program without the administrative step of creating a new program if board priorities change later. The board approved the CDA recommendation to pause the program indefinitely by voice vote.
