CDA recommends Blair redevelopment plan using tax-increment financing to fund 110 workforce apartments

The Community Development Agency voted to recommend approval of an amended redevelopment plan for the SJAV tenant project after a developer presentation and public comment at its meeting. The plan calls for a three-phase redevelopment that would add 110 workforce apartments in Phase 1, three commercial lots in Phase 2, and 88 additional multifamily units in a later Phase 3, according to presenters.

The developer representative told the agency the plan is consistent with Blair’s comprehensive plan and “furthers the objectives of the city's own comprehensive plan.” The presentation emphasized that tonight’s action would not authorize building permits, final site plans or construction but would allow the city to determine whether the plan aligns with long-term goals.

A central financing element is tax-increment financing. The presenter explained that the developer would build the project (the developer estimated roughly $50 million in private investment) and that the increment of new tax revenue created by that construction would be used to reimburse eligible public costs for up to 15 years. “The TIF bond does not cost the city any money,” the presenter said, adding that if buildings are not constructed no new tax increment is generated.

The presentation included example estimates: current base taxes on the site were described as about $1,900 annually; a conservative 3% growth projection was used to model an annual increment of roughly $335,000 and a long-range school benefit of about $4.4 million. The presenter framed those numbers as contingent estimates that require construction and future valuation gains.

Developers showed photographs and renderings of comparable projects and described unit finishes (quartz counters, stainless-steel appliances, vinyl plank flooring), security measures (smart locks and corridor/exterior cameras where legally allowed) and design choices intended to hide parking and increase green space. Scott Reef, who identified himself by name during public comment, described furnished-unit options for traveling professionals and said many tenants would likely own pets.

Several residents spoke. Craig Almond, who said he and a co-presenter are development partners, praised the developers’ experience. Resident Ed Matthews urged the CDA to delay approval, saying Blair lacks stable staffing — noting an outgoing city administrator and a planning director retiring — and that the city should have its building-department capacity in place before advancing a multi-year, multi-phase TIF project. “Please protect the people of Blair. Allow them a little more time to figure out what's happening,” Matthews said.

After questions and discussion, an agency member introduced Resolution 2026-002 recommending approval of the redevelopment plan to the City Council, and a motion to adopt the resolution was made and seconded. The motion passed; the clerk recorded the vote. The meeting adjourned afterward.

The resolution now goes to the Blair City Council for further consideration; the CDA’s action tonight is a recommendation, not a final construction approval. The transcript did not record the name of the motion’s mover or a roll-call tally by council member, and those details were not specified in the record.