BROOKINGS Issues related to a pair of massive apartment projects that will bring 198 new units onto the market in Brookings were approved on 7-0 votes at Tuesday nights City Council meeting.
The actions centered on a tax increment financing agreement with developer Sixth St. Development LLC, alongside a maintenance agreement that will remain in force long after TIF No. 17 matures and is dissolved.
Anyone driving on Sixth Street in recent weeks can see that work is already well underway on the Latitude 44 project just south of Sixth Street between 12th and 13th avenues. It will have 114 residential units with main level commercial space and parking.
The second project, known as Paragon, is just kicking off with demolition of older structures. Once everything is said and done, the site along Campanile Avenue between Sixth and Seventh streets will host a multi-story, 84-unit residential complex.
Prior to giving the green light, councilors had some questions including South Dakota State Universitys role in the projects.
Can you briefly mention how the SDSU involvement is with this TIF? Councilor Bonny Specker inquired. Thats a little bit different than most TIFs that we see.
Community Development Director Mike Struck explained that theres an agreement between the developer and the SDSU Foundation. Part of the improvements that will be included as part of the overall project are median enhancements to Campanile Avenue, which is SDSUs responsibility via the foundation.
They will be paying for those improvements and will be reimbursed over time, Struck said. He added that theres a separate agreement between the foundation and the developer that addresses financing and reimbursements.
It is kind of a unique public-private partnership because Brookings Municipal Utilities will also be doing some work within the Campanile Avenue right of way, Struck noted. Since the street will be opened up, theres an opportunity to update some infrastructure in there. Theyve partnered with this project from a timing, coordination and planning perspective between the university, the developer, the city and (BMU) its been a unique and good public-private partnership.
Councilor Holly Tilton Byrne spoke as well, pointing out that, while she works for the SDSU Foundation, she will not benefit from the agreement.
Regarding the maintenance agreement between the city and the developer, Struck said it lays out the roles and responsibilities of the developer in perpetuity in other words, theyll remain in place after the TIF is dissolved. This includes things such as future maintenance, snow removal, along with boulevard and alley parking.
Councilor Nick Wendell then asked about future improvements to or maintenance of the mid-block enhanced pedestrian crosswalk thats planned for Campanile Avenue whether that would be the responsibility of the city or the developer.
Public Works Director John Thompson said future enhancements to the crosswalk, if necessary, would be the citys responsibility. Current enhancements, which are the developers responsibility, will include signage and road markings.
In other business at Tuesdays meeting, councilors:
Via the consent agenda and on a 7-0 vote, awarded the bid for a new sign truck. It went to Aspen Equipment for $312,669, which was 10.7% lower than the approved budget of $350,000.
On a 7-0 vote, and via the consent agenda, authorized exclusive use of Pioneer Park from July 7 through July 15 by the Brookings Summer Arts Festival Committee.
Approved malt alcoholic beverage license renewals for six businesses that failed a compliance check within the past year. The 7-0 vote only came after councilors received updates on efforts taken to prevent future alcohol sales violations.
The businesses were: BP of Brookings (2420 Sixth St.), Brookings Softball Association (2800 22nd Ave. S.), Caseys General Store (two locations, 620 Eighth St. S. and 534 22nd Ave. S.), Deuces Casino (233 Sixth St.) and Guadalajaras Mexican Restaurant (1715 Sixth St., Suite F).
Contact Mondell Keck at [email protected].
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