The Jefferson city council at its regular meeting May 13 set public hearings for June 10 on amending the city’s urban renewal plan to include 10 different projects for which tax increment financing could be used.
City administrator Scott Peterson stressed throughout the presentation that none of the projects are certainties at this time, but the requested action “would lay the groundwork for a financing mechanism if these projects are completed.” The financing mechanism would be tax increment financing (TIF).
The 10 projects include:
–Redevelopment of the former Greene County middle school at 203 W. Harrison St into a multifamily housing complex. It is anticipated the city will provide an economic development forgivable loan to the developer in the amount of $300,000, to be funded with incremental property tax revenues coming from the urban renewal area.
–East Lincoln Way Economic Development Local Business Support Program to support business owners on E. Lincoln Way with façade improvements; repairs and improvements to roofs; exterior and interior wall improvements; flooring, ceiling, electrical, plumbing and HVAC improvements; and other projects. The assistance would be as forgivable loans, similar to that given to downtown businesses. The maximum loan per property would be $75,000; the council would not approve more than $200,000 per year in loans. The program will not exceed $1 million over the course of the city’s fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
–Economic Development Demolition and Site Preparation Project. Acquire the residential properties at 1006 E. Lincoln Way and 1012 E. Lincoln Way, demolish them, and prepare the lots. The city will then encourage business development on the sites. The projects will not exceed $100,000.
–Storm water drainage improvements. Clean, improve and reconstruct as needed the portion of the city’s storm water drainage systems serving the Greene County Fairgrounds and certain properties south and east of the fairgrounds; and certain properties situated east of Cedar St between Central Ave and Lincoln Way. This would increase and improve the ability of the city to provide adequate storm water drainage infrastructure for the growth and retention of commercial and industrial enterprises in the urban renewal area. Cost of the project will not exceed $500,000.
–Jefferson Municipal Golf Course improvements. The city could undertake the acquisition of the Greenewood Center building at 401 W. Greenewood Rd to serve as a new clubhouse for the municipal golf course. The city would also construct related improvements at the golf course and clubhouse. Cost of the project will not exceed $1 million.
–Parking lot development. The city would undertake the acquisition of the properties situated at 213 S. Vine St, 215 S. Vine St, and 214 S. Wilson Ave and construct parking facilities including lighting, landscaping, and other site amenities to serve as a public parking lot. Cost of the project will not exceed $200,000.
–Parkland development. The city would undertake the acquisition of the properties at 203 E. Harrison St and 204 W. Madison St. The project would involve demolition and removal of existing hardscape improvements, followed by the development and installation of new green space, landscaping, and associated park amenities for use as a city park. Cost of the project would not exceed $250,000.
–Urban renewal administration and professional support program (Admin). Administrative and professional support to its urban renewal projects and initiatives in the city’s fiscal years 2027 – 2031. Cost would not exceed $500,000.
–Greene County Development Corporation support. Payments to GCDC for five fiscal years to support efforts to carry out economic development support programs, promotional events, initiatives and activities within the urban renewal program. Total cost $250,000 over five years. — Jefferson Matters: Main Street support. Payments to Jefferson Matters for five fiscal years to support efforts to carry out economic development support programs, promotional events, initiatives and activities within the urban renewal area. Total cost would be $350,000 over five years.
The council would need to designate certain areas of the city — those part of the city east of Cedar St north to the railroad tracks, to the south edge of the county fairgrounds, and east on Lincoln Way to the east edge of the municipal cemetery; the property directly south of Jefferson Telecom and Companion Veterinary Clinic as well as the vacant property south of Madison St and east of the former Ram gymnasium — and the area surrounding the Greenewood Center — as urban renewal areas to allow tax increment financing to be derived from them. The proposed projects would be funded through the TIF.
The council approved motions setting the public hearings needed to make those designations by a 4-1 vote. Councilman Chad Sloan voted against both of the related motions.
