Parkville aldermen expressed their disappointment with one developer and supported the cause of another at the meeting of the board last week.
At the virtual board meeting held Tuesday, Jan. 19, aldermen approved the first reading of changes to a financing agreement with CBC Parkville on a split vote, with aldermen Tina Welch, Brian Whitley and Doug Wylie voting no.
The Parkville Market Place Tax Increment Financing District (TIF) covers the small Apex Plaza shopping area off Highway 45 currently home to Westlake Ace Hardware, Domino’s Pizza and others. The developer told city officials the pandemic has slowed its ability to attract additional tenants for the project and asked the city amend the agreement to give the developer more leeway and extend its deadlines for construction from this year to up to 2023.
The request has no immediate budget impact, according to staff reports, but long-term impacts would come from property and sales tax collections on properties within the TIF district.
Aldermen said they had heard various rumors about why a restaurant slated for the area pulled out, and encouraged the developer to work closely with the Parkville EDC to fill its vacancies as quickly as possible.
“It’s just a little disappointing that we’re just now getting this request,” said alderman Bob Lock. “I’m getting tired of the COVID excuse, though I know it’s a valid excuse.”
Lock said CBC Parkville knew of the need to extend the deadlines and he didn’t appreciate the last-minute notice for the TIF amendment request.
Alderman Marc Sportsman said he was concerned about the extension, but he would support it to give the developer time to find appropriate tenants.
Alderman Phil Wassmer said the TIF project had always been of concern to him, as the location is ideal for a restaurant, yet the developer can’t seem to land one.
Also at the meeting, the board approved the first and second readings of a state tax abatement program for the restoration of a building at 115 Main Street – the former Peddler’s Wagon - in the historic district. Developer Brian Mertz plans to install walls, upgrade the facade and update the HVAC and electrical system. Proposed uses include a bakery and ice cream shop, as well as other tenants. Due to requirements of the state program, construction needed to begin after the city’s approval and Mertz requested the board speed up the timeline as a tenant plans to open in March.
Resident Elaine Kellerman criticized the city’s handling of the application, and the restoration projects in general. She noted the other redevelopment projects in downtown are also from Mertz, implying the board gives a “rubber stamp” to his projects. She called for the board overseeing redevelopment of the buildings in the historic district to be expanded to include other residents, potentially outside of the historic district.
Sportsman called Kellerman out, noting that Mertz and other downtown property owners have invested heavily in the historic district in recent years.
“For you to sit here tonight and imply that all eight of us are collectively voting to support Mr. Mertz for one reason or the other is offensive, and it’s wrong,” he said.
Wassmer said the program was designed to meet a certain set of criteria, and so long as a project meets the criteria the board is bound to approve it, no matter the applicant.
Kellerman said that downtown Parkville belonged to everyone in Parkville.
“Downtown Parkville belongs to the people who own property in downtown Parkville,” Wassmer said.
Mayor Nan Johnston said she agreed with one portion of Kellerman’s statement, as she criticized the rushed timeline of the request. Johnston said she wanted future applications to be submitted in a more timely manner.
Lock added that he was offended by Kellerman’s statements, and the worst problem it’s created is an increase in traffic as downtown’s popularity has increased.
“For us to not consider this application would be to not follow the law,” said Alderman Greg Plumb, adding to Wassmer’s comments.
The board approved the redevelopment plan with a unanimous vote.
The board also approved a resolution offering the sale of certificates of participation to finance the Highway 9 improvement project. This phase of the project is estimated to cost about $4.7 million, and is primarily funded through state and federal transporation funds.