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Show luete iMfi's total? GARY R. BLODGETT re!!WfTIFl,L A Proposed program to I P Bountiful's downtown area Nonh to the south city limits was WI at length in Wednesday night's oxincil meeting. ever, no action was taken on any " the proposed program. iWE,NE CRR planning consultant !t'd the firsl steP would be t0 -f ' plan C"y'S comPrehensive j that, a redevelopment agency t can be considered under the authorization of the Utah Neighborhood Development Act to revitalize much of the downtown area," said Mr. Carr. "Similar agencies have been established in Salt Lake City, Ogden, Provo and Murray and are under consideration in other Utah cities." THE CITY'S master plan is nearing completion and will be presented at a public meeting on April 11 at 7 p.m. in the Viewmont High School auditorium. "Using the master plan as a guide, the redevelopment agency can begin working on a program to expand and improve the business area from 400 North to the south city limits and from Interstate 15 to 100 East," said Mr. Carr. INCLUDED WILL be the existing and proposed shopping centers as well as the downtown commercial area, Mr. Carr emphasized. City Attorney Layne B. Forbes was authorized to draw up a proposal designating desig-nating Bountiful City Council as the redevelopment agency, making it possible possi-ble for the council to propose development projects within the downtown area as outlined by the ordinance. "PLANS FOR future developments would be presented to the public for discussion," dis-cussion," said Mr. Carr. "The redevelopment redevelop-ment agency (city council) would also have authority to undertake public improvements, assemble properties and recommend local policies that would encourage en-courage private development." Funding for redevelopment activities under this program would be accomplished ac-complished by earmarking the increase , in future tax revenues in the improved areas to repay the cost of improvements, Mr. Carr explained. PLEASE TURN TO PAGE 2 i - Redevelop Bountiful's Downtown District? CONTINUED FROM FRONT "THIS IS known as tax increment financing, and can be accomplished without seeking funds from state or federal agencies," he said. Ed Glashin of the city planning commission com-mission commented that the "only tool we have for a mammoth redevelopment program such as this is to do the project in one large package. Organizing the redevelopment agency is the first step." MONEY FOR the redevelopment projects would come from the increased property tax as a result of the redevelopment redevelop-ment and would not be derived from the city's general fund, according to the for- mat ot tne program. i Councilwoman Phillis Southwick, a' represents the city council on the cr planning commission, said the plan-commission plan-commission has had a master plan ur: study for 12 years. "WE'VE HAD eight citizens' cow tees working on the master plan af 'blue ribbon' committee has be-working be-working with Mr. Carr regard ; methods of revitalizing our city." said. "1 think the entire program is excii'; If done right, it can do a lot for ourcn; : increasing employment and upgratn our lax base." i |