FARR WEST -- The city council is considering the idea of forming a redevelopment agency and signing an interlocal agreement with Pleasant View to bring new business to both cities.
The council was encouraged to do so by attorney J. Craig Smith, who presented the idea.
Farr West Mayor Jimmie Papageorge said the city wants to develop about 30 acres just behind the Maverik station at 1874 W. 2700 North.
He said this property is near the mobile home park in Pleasant View and that Pleasant View officials are considering economic development for that area.
Papageorge said Smith's presentation was the first he had heard of the idea of forming a redevelopment agency with Pleasant View, but Smith said the idea was developed from a meeting between the two mayors.
"This has developed through a meeting with Jimmie (Papageorge) and the mayor of Pleasant View (Doug Clifford)," Smith said. "Some of the property is in Farr West, and part of it is in Pleasant View."
In a telephone interview, Clifford said Pleasant View is interested in forming an interlocal agreement to create a redevelopment agency with Farr West.
He said the property in Farr West stops at the old railroad tracks, and the property being considered in Pleasant View is north of there, where a mobile home park now sits.
Clifford said the city hopes that property can be purchased and developed as commercial property.
"It is in an attractive position, just off the freeway," he said.
Smith said he represents redevelopment agencies around the state and helped form one redevelopment agency between Perry and Brigham City to bring Walmart in there, as well as other redevelopment agencies.
"A lot of things you see happen around the state don't just happen," Smith said. "Procter & Gamble wouldn't be here (in Bear River City) today without a redevelopment agency."
He said redevelopment agencies bring infrastructure and development to sites.
"The agencies have no taxing power, so we're not talking about new taxes on anybody," he said.
"The governing board of the redevelopment agency is the city council. You make all the decisions on whether to do the project or not do the project and whether or not to provide incentives."
Smith said three steps are needed in redevelopment: First, form an agency; second, attract development; and third, create a project.
He said property taxes do increase for the city when something is built on property, because the taxes are based on the value of the property and everything on it. Therefore, taxes are much higher for property with a successful business on it as opposed to just an empty field.
Council members took no action on the idea of a redevelopment agency and creating an interlocal agreement with Pleasant View, but are considering the idea.
Comments