Alliance council approves CRA property rehabilitation plan, allocates $350,000 in ARPA funds

The Alliance City Council on June 16 approved the Community Redevelopment Authority's Property Rehabilitation Program and authorized $350,000 in federal ARPA funds to support early projects.

Mayor McGhehey opened the public hearing on the plan, stating "now is the date, time and place to conduct a public hearing to hear support, opposition, criticism, suggestions or observations of the taxpayers relating to the purposed Property Rehabilitation Program proposed by the Community Redevelopment Authority." No members of the public testified during the hearing.

The Redevelopment Plan, reviewed and recommended by the Planning Commission and the CRA, authorizes the CRA to identify properties in City-designated redevelopment areas that are blighted or substandard, acquire or contract for rehabilitation or demolition, and then lease, sell, or return the property to productive use. The staff report said the plan does not change zoning, land coverage, building intensity, traffic patterns or other land-use controls.

City staff told the Council the City has declared about 33.8% of its area blighted and substandard and that revenue or proceeds from redevelopment activities may be used to continue the program or repay debt incurred for redevelopment purposes. On a motion by Councilman Turman, seconded by Vice Mayor Mashburn, the Council adopted Resolution No. 26-52 to approve the Redevelopment Plan; the vote was unanimous.

The CRA may now begin project identification and pursue additional funding, including private partnerships and grants, to support eligible redevelopment activities.