HomeMy WebLinkAboutA008 - Email to Citizen with quesitons about URA's in Ames Jeff D Benson/COA To jason.briski@gmail.com
06/09/2008 11:01 AM cc Steve Osguthorpe/COA@COA, Diane R Voss/COA@COA
bcc
Subject Urban Revitalization Area No. 7
Mr. Briski,
Your question was forwarded to me, as I work with the Urban Revitalization Areas of the City.
There are three Urban Revitalization Areas in Somerset. Two of them apply to the commercial property
east of Stange Road. Urban Revitalization Area #7 provides for partial abatement of property taxes for
construction of a building for use as a sit-down restaurant, grocery store, or a building with affordable
housing units on the upper floors. Since this Urban Revitalization Area was established in 1999, only one
property has applied and met these criteria for tax abatement: the Cafe. Therefore, the City Council is
considering repealing Urban Revitalization Area#7. This action will not affect the tax abatement for the
Cafe, which will continue on at an annually declining percentage for a few more years.
Repealing Urban Revitalization Area#7 will not affect the Somerset Urban Revitalization Area, which
applies on the east side of Stange Road, or the Town Center West Urban Revitalization Area, which
applies to commercial buildings on the west side of Stange Road. However, these two programs are set
to expire in July. On July 8, City Council will be considering extending the programs until July 1, 2011. If
this action is approved, new buildings constructed for use for retail sales or services would qualify for
abatement of property taxes on the building for three years.
Please let me know if you have further questions.
THANKS!
Jeff
Jeffrey D. Benson, AICP, ASLA
Planner, Department of Planning and Housing
City of Ames, Iowa
515 Clark
P.O. Box 811
Ames, IA 50010
Ph: 515-239-5269
Fax: 515-239-5404
e-mail:jbenson@city.ames.ia.us
Caring People— Quality Programs— Exceptional Service
-----Forwarded by Diane R Voss/COA on 06/09/2008 09:58 AM-----
"Jason Briski"
<jason.briski@gmail.com> To <dvoss@city.ames.ia.us>
It fit` 06/06/2008 08:06 PM cc
Subject Urban Revitalization Area No. 7
Dear Ms. Voss:
I received a notification in the mail indicating that the City Council will hold a public hearing concerning
the adoption of an ordinance repealing Urban Revitilization Area No. 7. What are the implications of this
ordinance (e.g. what happens if it passes and/or what happens if it fails to pass)? I feel as though I
cannot form a pertinent opinion on the issue because I am missing a substantial amount of information.
Thank you for your assistance.
Cordially:
Jason Briski
2610 Stange Rd, Apt. 8
Ames, IA 50010
4ason.briski@gmail.com
515-227-6347