West Point council approves blight study to explore downtown improvement district

West Point's City Council voted to approve a blight study contract with Advanced Consulting Engineers to investigate whether portions of downtown qualify as blighted and to begin planning for a potential downtown improvement district.

City staff described the study as a planning-first step that would map the area, identify improvements such as streets, sidewalks and storefront façades, and analyze funding options. Staff noted the study could position the city to apply for Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and explore whether certain wastewater rehabilitation work could be rolled into State Revolving Fund (SRF) financing rather than being assessed to Main Street property owners.

During the discussion council members stressed that community input and business-owner buy-in will shape the scope and that implementation could stretch over multiple years. Staff said parts of previously blighted areas (for example, plaza parcels) may be taken out of a new designation where development has already occurred; that trade-offs would be required; and that some projects could become assessment or TIF-like obligations for participating business owners depending on how the plan is structured.

Councilmember Rusty moved to approve the contract; Shay seconded the motion, and the council voted to authorize the mayor to sign the agreement.

The study replaces an older blight analysis (previous versions cited from 1996 and 2005) and is intended to provide a framework for downtown revitalization options, from basic sidewalk and drainage work to façade programs and more extensive streetscape changes. Staff estimated the earliest substantive construction or SRF-related work was likely two or more years away, contingent on funding and legislative eligibility for grant programs.

The council directed staff to proceed with the study and to involve business owners and the broader community as the planning process unfolds.