Number
181913
Version
ORIGINAL
Reference
Sponsor
ALD. BAUMAN
Title
Resolution approving a Project Plan and a Development Agreement, authorizing expenditures and creating Tax Incremental District No. 97 (The Avenue), in the 4th Aldermanic District.
Analysis
Tax Incremental District No. 97 consists of twenty-one properties in the vicinity of the former Grand Avenue Mall on West Wisconsin Avenue. The District is proposed to provide funding to assist Hempel Milwaukee, LLC (the “Developer”) in redeveloping the former Grand Avenue Mall. Funds from the District will be used for public access ways, plaza improvements and facade improvements for the project. The Developer will advance all costs for the project. The TID will fund an annual payment to the Developer for a period of up to 18 years, equal to 100 percent of any incremental property taxes (less $7,500 in annual expenses), resulting from the increased taxable value of real and personal property in the District, not to exceed an amount sufficient to repay up to $9,000,000, at 5.5 percent interest.
Body
Whereas, Chapter 105 of the Laws of 1975 of the State of Wisconsin, with amendments from other chapters of said Laws, created Section 66.1105, Wisconsin Statutes, titled “Tax Increment Law;” and
Whereas, Section 66.1105(4) of the Tax Increment Law sets forth certain criteria that the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee (“Common Council”) and the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Milwaukee (“Authority”) must follow to create a Tax Incremental District (“TID” or “District”) and approve a project plan for a TID; and
Whereas, Pursuant to Section 66.1105(4)(a) through (gm), Wisconsin Statutes, on March 21, 2019 the Authority conducted a public hearing on the proposed Project Plan for the District (“Plan”), designated the boundaries of the District and recommended that the District be created and submitted such recommendation to the Common Council for approval with the Plan, a copy of which is attached to this Common Council File; and
Whereas, Under the provisions of Section 66.1105(4)(gm)4.a., Wisconsin Statutes, not less than 50 percent, by area, of the real property within a proposed TID must qualify as either a “blighted area” within the meaning of Section 66.1105(2)(ae), Wisconsin Statutes; an area “in need of rehabilitation or conservation work” as defined in Section 66.1337(2m)(a), Wisconsin Statutes; must be suitable for “industrial sites” within the meaning of Section 66.1101, Wisconsin Statutes, and be zoned for industrial use; or must be “suitable for mixed-use development” as defined in Section 66.1105(2)(cm), Wisconsin Statutes; and
Whereas, More than 50 percent, by area, of the real property in the District was found by the Authority to be “in need of rehabilitation and conservation work,” as defined above; and
Whereas, Per Section 66.1105(5)(b), Wisconsin Statutes, 19.05 percent of the territory within the District will be devoted to retail business at the end of the maximum expenditure period; and
Whereas, The Plan contains statements and other factual information indicating that the improvement of such area is likely to significantly enhance the value of real property in the District; and that project costs directly serve to promote development of the District consistent with the purpose(s) for which the District is created under Section 66.1105(4)(gm)4.a., Wisconsin Statutes; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that it finds and determines as follows:
1. The District is “in need of rehabilitation and conservation work” within the meaning of Section 66.1105(4)(gm)4.a., Wisconsin Statutes.
2. The improvement and/or development of such area, as hereinafter provided, is likely to enhance significantly the value of substantially all of the other real property in and adjoining the District.
3. Project costs relate directly to promoting development consistent with the City’s Master Plan and with the purpose(s) for which the District is created under Section 66.1105(4)(gm)4.a., Wisconsin Statutes.
4. The percentage of the aggregate value of the equalized taxable property of the District, plus the incremental value of all other existing TIDs, does not exceed the statutory maximum 12 percent of the aggregate value of total equalized value of taxable property within the City; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the District is created as of January 1, 2019, and that the boundaries of the District are approved as described and more precisely set forth in the Plan; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Plan is approved as the “Project Plan” for the District and that the Plan is feasible, in conformity with the Master Plan for the City and will promote the orderly development of the City; and, be it
Further Resolved, That:
1. The City Clerk is directed to apply to the Wisconsin Department of Revenue for a “Determination of Tax Increments and Tax Incremental Base” for the District, pursuant to the provisions of Section 66.1105(5), Wisconsin Statutes.
2. Pursuant to the provisions of Section 66.1105(5)(f), Wisconsin Statutes:
a. The Assessment Commissioner is directed to identify upon the assessment roll, returned and examined under Section 70.45, Wisconsin Statutes, those parcels of property, which are within the District, specifying thereon the name of the District.
b. The City Clerk is directed to make notations on the tax roll for the District similar to those required to be made under Section 70.65, Wisconsin Statutes.
3. The District shall be designated as Tax Incremental District No. 97 (The Avenue).
4. Relative to the $9,000,000 Developer-funded contribution provided for in the Plan, a variance is authorized from the procedures of Common Council File No. 68-461-x, being the Guidelines for the Control of Capital Expenditures, and directs the City Comptroller to:
Establish the appropriate accounts within the TID Project Account, No. 0336-1910-TD09780000, to appropriate tax incremental collections equal to the total required to repay the City’s monetary obligation to the Developer, as provided in the Term Sheet for the District, in such amounts as set forth in the Plan, as shall be necessary to implement the Plan.
5. The City Comptroller is directed to establish all accounts and to make all appropriation transfers, upon request by the Department of City Development, for all revenue or expenditure activity under this resolution; and, be it
Further Resolved, That there is not sufficient tax incremental revenue available for street-paving projects within one-half mile of the District per the requirement of Milwaukee Code of Ordinances (“MCO”) Section 304-95-1, therefore, as permitted by MCO Section 304-95-1, the Common Council waives the requirement to include such costs in the Plan; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the proper City officials are directed to enter into a Development Agreement for the purposes of implementing the Plan on terms substantially in accordance with the The Avenue Term Sheet for TID No. 97, which is Exhibit 6 of the Plan; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the proper City officials are directed to execute any additional documents and instruments necessary to carry out the provisions of the Development Agreement and to implement the Plan.
Drafter
DCD:Dan.Casanova:dac
03/26/19/A