Laserfiche WebLink
Finance Committee for a review of its financial components. The Solove developments followed <br /> a similar process. <br /> Councilmembers sought updates on the projects' timeline. Daniel Budish of W. 117 ' <br /> Development that phase 1 of the project is underway with construction ongoing at the <br /> Fieldhouse. Mr. Budish indicated he hopes to open the Fieldhouse in July of this year. The <br /> renovation of the Phantasy comprises phase 2, and the development team is waiting to hear <br /> whether it was successful in receiving historic tax credits and/or brownfield funding from the <br /> state. Mr. Budish added that the site is largely clean, however there is some asbestos present, <br /> which makes it brownfield eligible. The developers are hoping to close on the financing before <br /> the end of the year, which will lead to an 18-month construction timeline. <br /> Councilmembers cited the $5 million funding gap, the high cost of materials, and increased labor <br /> rates, and asked whether there are any remaining holes in the projects' financing. Mr. Budish <br /> described his company's process of pursuing tax credits and more affordable sources of capital <br /> first to bring down the cost of capital, as a way to make rents affordable for tenants. <br /> Councilmembers questioned whether the project still works financially. Mr. Budish indicated <br /> that that some tax credits from other sources are needed, and that his company should be in a <br /> good position to receive a historic tax credit. <br /> Councilmember Baker asked what happen if funding stalls on the Phantasy phase of the project <br /> and whether the TIF would stay in place, since all land parcels involved are included in the TIF <br /> agreement. Director Leininger stated that the current commitment is on both projects succeeding <br /> and that the development agreement would have to be reopened if that situation arose. He added <br /> there are timing and job requirements in the agreement that create conditions for reopening the <br /> TIF. Lastly, he stated that there is some wiggle room on the $5 million TIF figure in case other <br /> obstacles are encountered in the development process. <br /> Councilmember Bullock asked how the development could be altered if funding falls through. <br /> He noted that the Phantasy seemed to be the most complex part of the development plans. <br /> Director Leininger stated that the TIF flows back to the developer, but it is predicated on what <br /> the developer does. He added that all the risk is carried by the developer and the entire agreement <br /> can be opened back up if funding starts to slip. Mr. Budish stated his company has done separate <br /> analyses on the Fieldhouse and Phantasy. They found that if the Fieldhouse opens and is <br /> successful, any timing issues on the Phantasy would not trigger the TIF on the Fieldhouse. <br /> Since the TIF is capped at$5 million over 30 years, Councilmember Bullock inquired what <br /> would happen if that mark was reached prior to that time period. Director Leininger indicated the <br /> TIF would then end and taxes would flow to various agencies based on millage. The city was <br /> conservative with its projections, choosing not to project the development appreciating in value <br /> over time. <br /> Motion by Chairman Shachner, seconded by Councilmember Bullock to recommend Ordinance <br /> 07-2021 for approval. <br /> The meeting was adjourned without objection at 5:49PM. <br />