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Pulaski officials lay out Project Revitalize costs, seek builders and stress fairness in procurement
Summary
Town economic developer Shannon Ainsley presented per-property blight and revitalization figures (demolition $18,000; build $208,000; estimated annual economic gain ~$1,057) and said the town is working with developers while council members pressed for open procurement and fairness.
Shannon Ainsley, the town’s economic developer, told the council that Project Revitalize is focused on removing blight and returning vacant lots to taxable, occupied housing. Using a sample property the town studied, she presented a 10-year cost picture that included $3,900 in past-due taxes, $10,000 in liens for mowing/securing, $4,000 in attorney fees and an estimated $18,000 for demolition.
Ainsley said rebuilding the lot would cost roughly $208,000 and that a completed, sold house would bring the town and local economy recurring benefits: she estimated about $650 in added property value for the parcel, $225 in property taxes and modest sales-tax gains from local spending, totaling roughly $1,057 per year in local economic return for a revitalized home.
She described the town’s current approach as working with developers that can “sustain” construction (citing financing capacity) and said development agreements include a 100% performance bond and timelines. Ainsley reported the town recently obtained 1617 Lee Highway, a parcel with two nearby blighted homes, and said staff are in discussions with multiple developers and with the NRV Home Builders Association.
Council members asked whether the town gives any single contractor a first opportunity to develop properties; one council member warned against appearing to give preferential access. Ainsley said the town is not profiting from property transfers and that, to date, staff are working with developers able to complete projects; she said the town may broaden solicitations as the program scales.
Council discussion also noted legal complexities: condemning and demolishing a structure does not automatically transfer land title, and clearing hazards can leave the town maintaining cleared lots. Ainsley acknowledged those constraints and said the program aims to start with properties the town can move on efficiently.
No vote was taken on Project Revitalize at the meeting; Ainsley said staff will continue developer outreach and project work with available funding and private partners.
