Emporia City Commissioners have taken the first step towards final approval of a major development project in Emporia.
The commission approved a resolution during their regular action session Wednesday evening declaring intent to establish the Pleasant Point Rural Housing Incentive District. The district will be located along and south of Seventh Ave. between Elm and Oak streets.
Incentive districts, such as Pleasant Point, utilize incremental property taxes created by a housing development project and then reinvest the money into major improvements. According to city special projects coordinator Jim Witt, the price point for homes in the area would be between $175,000 to $200,000.
Commissioner Rob Gilligan says commissioners have been told there is a market within Emporia for houses in that price range.
Following Wednesday’s approval, the project will now enter a 45-day review period before a public hearing on Jan. 8 where the project could gain final approval. Commissioners are hopeful development on the project may begin by spring of 2020.
In other business commissioners also approved the issuance of $800,000 in general obligation bonds for permanent repairs on the South Arundel Sewer line which was damaged by flooding earlier this year. As KVOE has reported, commissioners and BG Consultants are planning to realign the current aerial crossings for the line which could cost upwards of $750,000.
Gilligan says the project is a “big expense upfront” but will provide the community with long term savings in the future.
Gilligan says as the damage was a product of the heavy flooding which impacted the majority of the state, the city is eligible for federal reimbursement aid through the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Current estimates hopes are for the project to be completed by late summer 2020.
Additionally, commissioners also approved an ordinance request for a beer garden at the Big Chill finish line party in December, the authorization of health insurance for city staff and a revision to Emporia’s building and construction regulations. Commissioners also lent approval to a four-month contract extension with Coffey County Rural Water District #2 as they continue negotiations on a more long term contract and accepted a permanent drainage easement between the city and Crestview Lakes 6 Association Inc.
The Emporia City Commission will hold a study session next Wednesday at 10 am inside city conference room 1AB inside White Auditorium.
