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HomeMy WebLinkAboutIV.B - Redevelopment Findings - 11 & Vermillion HEDRA Memorandum To: HEDRA Commissioners From: Rusty Fifield, Economic Development Coordinator Date: May 7, 2020 Subject: Redevelopment Findings – 11th and Vermillion Requested Action Authorize staff to take steps necessary to bring the Board a proposal to allow for the demolition of buildings prior to the potential creation of a TIF district on the parcels identified in this memorandum (simple motion). The TIF District may include four parcels generally located southeast of 11th and Vermillion. E & R Investments (Ebert Construction) owns three of the parcels and a has preliminary agreement to buy the remaining parcel (#4280). Please see the map below for further detail. Background Staff has been working with Ebert Construction for the past four years on plans for a commercial and mixed use concept to redevelop the property south of Walgreens on Vermillion Street. Our focus has been on resolving issues related to access & site constraints. Part of our discussions has been on the potential of creating a tax increment financing district (consisting of the parcels shown here) to assist with this development. The preliminary evaluation of the site is that it would meet the statutory criteria for the establishment of a redevelopment TIF district. There are two basic criteria for a redevelopment TIF district: 1. Parcels consisting of 70% of the area of the district are occupied by buildings, streets, utilities, paved or gravel parking lots, or other similar structures. 2. More than 50% of the buildings, not including outbuildings, are structurally substandard to a degree requiring substantial renovation or clearance. Redevelopment Findings May 7, 2020 Page 2 State law contains criteria for determining if a building is structurally substandard. The required finding is that the building is not in compliance with the building code and could be modified to satisfy the building code at a cost of more than 15% of constructing a new structure of the same size and type on that site. Physical inspection of the building is required. The developer is not requesting the creation of a TIF district at this time. The requested action is to exercise the statutory authority to demolish structures prior to the establishment of an TIF district. The developer has determined that the house in the 4020 parcel needs substantial improvements (Potential lead paint, roof, mechanical, plumbing, electrical, flooring, exterior doors, and windows) and should be demolished. There are three key elements to this authority: 1. HEDRA must conduct the investigations and make the findings necessary to determine that the building to be demolished meets the statutory criteria for "structurally substandard". 2. The building is demolished under one of three options: (a) HEDRA demolishes the building; (b) The developer demolishes the building with financing from HEDRA; or (c) The developer demolishes the building pursuant to a development agreement with HEDRA. 3. HEDRA has three years from the time the building is demolished to complete the establishment of the TIF district and request certification by the County. This action does not obligate HEDRA to establish a TIF district nor does it relieve the developer from the need to demonstrate that tax increment is needed to make the project financially feasible. Financial Impact We will retain Northland Securities (our Financial and Economic Development Advisor) to manage the project and provide technical assistance. The developer will be required to place $5,000 escrow sufficient to pay for these services and potential legal expense.