Full Text
WHITEFISH TAX INCREMENT/URBAN RENEWAL FACTS The Whitefish Urban Renewal Plan was adopted in 1987. The plan identified infrastructure blight as a major deterrent to economic development in Whitefish. The Whitefish Urban Renewal Plan identified several “redevelopment” objectives, including: o Replacement of deteriorating housing stock. o Diversification of the community’s economic base. o Measures to strengthen and revitalize the downtown core area. o Expansion and redevelopment of City parks. o Construction and reconstruction of City streets and related infrastructure on a City-wide basis. o Construction of a water treatment plant. Urban Renewal/Tax Increment Projects accomplished since 1987: o Reconstruction of City Beach. o Purchase/remodel of City Hall. o Construction of downtown parking lots. o Installation of infrastructure in downtown area to support cultural arts and library development projects. o Implemented Business Rehabilitation Program. o Resurfacing of 14 street sections. o Reconstruction of Baker Avenue, First Street, Second Street, Fourth Street, Dakota Avenue, Edgewood Place, Greenwood Drive, and a portion of Columbia Avenue. o Construction of 13th Street and 13th Street Extension. o Purchase of Sky Park next to the Whitefish River for future expansion of the Bicycle / Pedestrian Path network. o Construction of Riverside Footbridge. o Implemented Housing Redevelopment Program. o Partial funding of Kay Beller Park construction project. o Partial funding for Indoor Ice Rink Pavilion. o Partial funding of Aquatic and Health Fitness Facility. o Partial funding of reconstructed boat ramp at City Beach. o Partial funding of one block downtown for a City Park. o Partial funding of Skate board Park. o Purchase of the remaining portion of a half block downtown for future parking. ---PAGE BREAK--- o Construction of Bicycle / Pedestrian Path sections to include BNSF Loop and Hope Trail. o Remodel of Armory for community events and youth activities. o Partial Funding of Downtown Master Plan. o Constructed a Park Maintenance Building o Construction of Emergency Services Center o Purchase of Depot Park Whitefish Credit Union o Purchase of lot north of City Hall—Coldwell Bank o Demolition of Big Mountain Tire Building o Construction of Downtown Second Street Parking Lot o Partial funding of emergency services equipment TIF Project Funds Provided Since 1987 Funds realized from 2000 Urban Renewal Bond: $ 5.7 million Funds realized from 2001 Urban Renewal Bond: $ 2.5 million Funds realized from 2004 Urban Renewal Bond: $ 1.7 million Funds realized from 2009 Urban Renewal Bond: : $ 7.5 million TOTAL TIF PROJECTS: $ 29.7 million