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About The Dalles chronicle. (The Dalles, OR) 1998-2020 | View Entire Issue (March 4, 2020)
Wednesday, March 4, 2020 A11 The Dalles Chronicle TheDallesChronicle.com RENEWAL Derelict buildings early focus Continued from page A1 at a value over $319 million, which if added to the tax rolls would generate $1.6 million in taxes annually. With the expiration of the enterprise zone, the state, not the county, will reassess the facility and its contents, she said. “They have the expertise needed to assess industrial properties,” she explained. Under Levy The agency could, how- ever, reduce the amount of taxes taken by the agency through a process called an “under levy.” State urban renewal law allows for an “under levy” of tax revenues which would normally go to an urban re- newal agency, allowing them to remain with the various taxing districts. Urban renewal consultant Elaine Howard explained the under levy process to the board, noting that it was both voluntary and complicated. “You have to decide how much you have to assess to get the money you need,” she said. “You have to consult with all the districts, sometimes the process can negative- ly impact a tax district” due to chang- Darcy ing values Long-Curtiss of assessed properties and “tax compres- sion.” The permanent tax levy is “set in stone,” she explained, so to reduce Gary it or “under Grossman levy” requires overriding the assessed val- ues the levy is based on. She noted the process would take at least a year to implement, and estimates were difficult. “It’s complex, and I’m uneasy projecting that number.” Wasco County Assessor and Tax Collector Jill Amery noted the process is “compli- cated,” and estimates of the impact imprecise. “The best we could do is a percentage,” she explained, but districts are now able to calculate the impact on an under levy Board member Bob Delaney, who represents the Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue District, said the district had looked at the estimates, and the benefits of an under levy would be minimal, in terms of the district’s overall budget and the board reached consensus that neither terminating the agency nor seeking an under levy were good options for the agency going forward. Future direction Harris then outlined the agency’s history, noting the majority of early projects were infrastructure-related, including downtown river- front access and parking, an ongoing First Street revital- ization project, Mill Creek Greenway planning, the east end roundabout and others. Early building re-develop- ment including a loan for Sunshine Mill & Winery, paid off in January of this year, and for the redevelop- ment of the Commodore. Both those properties were derelict. Harris noted the agency “changed course” in recent years, moving more into property redevelopment, and said some of those proposed projects “didn’t pan out.” The agency has since liquidated those properties. “We’ve made strides to get back on course,” he explained. Chris Zukin, seated in the audience, suggested the board not discount redevelopment of properties The Dalles Planning Director Steven Harris, right, reviews the history of the Urban Renewal Agency. completely, however. “It saved those building from being completely dere- lict,” he said, especially the Commodore. “No developer would would touch it,” he said. The multi-story building was windowless, and locally called “the pigeon coop.” “It would still be empty and der- elict without urban renewal,” Zukin said. Audience member Todd Carpenter of Main Street also spoke in favor of property redevelopment. “It may not be a return on investment, but its made a difference in the community,” he said. Board Chair Gary Grossman noted the agency had “done a good job wanted a new study done to evaluate the agencies impact, board member Darcy Long- Curtiss, representing the city, said “we only need that if we doubt our success— we can spend that money (for a study) back into the community.” The board reached agre- ment that, instead of looking back or pursuing an under levy, the agency needed to move forward and revise the project list with an emphasis on infrastructure. “It’s not just about taxes, it’s about jobs and other things,” said Delaney. “We need to look at what needs we can meet, that otherwise can’t be met.” Downtown traffic rerouted for line work WORD ON THE Continued STREET from page A9 said Alite’s Tyler Back. Schuepbach Builders of Hood River constructed the hangars and the concrete forms and helped finish the pour. Hood River Sand, Gravel & Ready Mix batched out more than 1,200 yards of concrete in the past few weeks for the project. That’s 133 truckloads at 9 yards of concrete each, and miles of half-inch rebar for support. The airport is considered an Oregon airport, but is located in Dallesport, Wash., and is co-owned by the City of The Dalles and Klickitat County. It is on Dallesport Road. liquidating assets and dealing with the problem,” and said going forward the agency needed to ask, “What can we do that’s new, and will bene- fit the community?” Much of the problem was a failed attempt by the agency to redevelop the Granada block of Second Street, which included plans for a hotel and other major develop- ment. Those properties are now in private hands, some with ongoing work being done to revitalize them. Board member Linda Miller, representing the city, said “hopefully we learned something from Second Street.” When asked if the board A 100,000 square-foot concrete pad required a 130 plus foot articulated pumping boom truck to pump the concrete in the massive forms, which are 155 feet wide. Tom Peterson photo Green Home Design + Build now offers gutter services! Sewer main installation on East 3rd Street between Madison Street and Monroe Street is underway and the streets partially closed. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays and possibly during the weekends as city crews and contractors work to repair and replace sections of sewer main. All modes of traffic will be affected in the work area. Partial road closure will affect pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists. The last stage of the project, currently underway, is expected to close the south (right) lane of East 3rd Street for up to six days. No parking will be allowed within the work area due to heavy equipment use and the location of the trench. No parking signs will be place on the curb 48 hours before the project moves into each work area. Questions? 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