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Planning & Zoning Committee recommends tax-increment financing for arts center redevelopment; MDHA says tool can support groceries, childcare
Summary
The Planning & Zoning Committee recommended approval of RS 20 26 20 78, renewing tax-increment financing (TIF) eligible activities for the arts center redevelopment plan. MDHA chief of staff Jamie Berry told the committee that, while priorities list housing and greenways, the tool can also support urgent needs such as grocery stores and childcare.
The Planning & Zoning Committee recommended approval of a resolution renewing tax-increment financing eligibility for projects in the arts center redevelopment plan. The committee’s discussion focused on what priorities the TIF would support and whether the financing tool could be used for grocery stores or childcare projects.
Council member Allen questioned whether the priorities identified in constituent outreach — “affordable housing, transit, greenways, [and] historic preservation” — would preclude using TIF for other urgent community needs. Allen said, “I continue to hear about the importance of of grocery store deserts and childcare deserts, and I just wanna ensure that those are also things that could possibly benefit from this financing tool.”
Jamie Berry, chief of staff for the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, answered that the listed priorities are illustrative and not exclusive. “The priorities are just that,” Berry said. “If there is something that is of great need as a grocery store or a childcare center, we could absolutely push that through.”
After brief discussion the committee voted to recommend approval. The chair announced the result as 10 in favor, 0 against, 0 not voting.
The resolution on the agenda (RS 20 26 20 78) is described in the meeting as approving activities and improvements eligible for tax-increment financing in the arts center redevelopment plan. The committee did not specify project-level awards or dollar amounts during the discussion.
The committee’s recommendation will be forwarded according to the council’s regular process.
