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Officials say Wildcat Square study is preliminary as Weber State seeks housing options
Summary
RDA staff told the council that Weber State owns the Wildcat Square land and has explored private partnerships to build student housing; the council approved an initial study step and staff described tax-increment financing participation options and the 'but for' test needed to justify participation.
David Sawyer, deputy executive director of community economic development, briefed the council on May 19 about a potential redevelopment approach involving Weber State University’s Wildcat Square property.
Sawyer said Weber State owns the land, which is tax-exempt today, and the university has expressed interest in increasing on-campus housing. The university has indicated that building the project itself may be financially infeasible and is exploring private partners. Because the land is currently non-taxable, Sawyer said an RDA community redevelopment area — which would capture a portion of future taxable increment — is being studied only to determine feasibility and whether the “but for” test (demonstrating the project would not occur without the participation) could be met.
Sawyer described the current initiative as an early-stage study to map a possible geography for a redevelopment district and to analyze financial feasibility; he said the RDA and city will return with more details, and that prior approvals do not obligate the city to participate financially. Council members and staff discussed participation levels typical in past redevelopment areas; Sawyer and others noted county participation rates historically around 50–60% and that school-board participation can be higher. Staff said lower participation rates can be negotiated to allow partners more immediate benefit.
Council members asked whether the city would ever receive tax revenue from the site; staff clarified that under current ownership (Weber State retaining ownership) the property would remain tax-exempt and the city would not receive tax revenue unless the property's use and ownership changed. The council and staff framed this step as a transparent, early-stage investigation that does not commit city funds but ensures the council has buy-in early in the process if the project advances.
The council did not take a funding or formal TIF vote on May 19; staff described next steps including further financial review and return briefings.
