Here are some of the items the...

Here are some of the items the council discussed Monday night.

SALE OF 214 FIFTH ST.

The City Council, acting as the Redevelopment Agency, awarded the

sale of an empty lot on 214 5th St. to developer Robert Kourey for a

little more than $1 million. The sale marked the end of a brief

bidding war for the property between Kourey and the firm LGB

investments.

The project was originally awarded to LGB. At the council’s July

15 meeting, real estate consultant Keith Bohr, representing Kourey,

asked the City Council to accept a higher bid for the property. At

the suggestion of Councilwoman Pam Houchen, both parties were allowed

to resubmit their bids, and Kourey prevailed.

WHAT IT MEANS

The City Council generated an additional $150,000 through the

final bid. Councilwoman Debbie Cook suggested the council consider

spending the money on a study looking at the feasibility of closing

parts of Main Street to vehicular traffic.

At City Administrator Penny Culbreth-Graft’s suggestion, the

council will wait to approve the study until after next year’s budget

is ready.

DOWNTOWN BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT

The City Council decided to go forward with steps to a create an

assessment district for Downtown businesses. Assessment districts are

in place for the city’s automobile dealers and hotel/motel owners.

Formally known as Business Improvement Districts, these districts

levy themselves with fees and use the money to collectively pay for

marketing, infrastructural improvements or events designed to benefit

everyone.

Councilwoman Pam Julien Houchen was absent for the vote.

WHAT IT MEANS

Downtown business owners will be mailed ballots to gauge if a

majority of them want the assessment district. Unlike regular

elections, assessment district ballots are weighted by benefit, and

the city’s Economic Development Department uses a complex assessment

formula to determine how much each business should pay based on the

benefit they will derive from the assessment district.

For example, large restaurants on the first three blocks of Main

Street could be asked to pay an annual $1,000, while small retail

operations might have to pay as little as $50. Businesses along outer

Downtown streets would have to pay a maximum $250.

A protest hearing for the creation of the Downtown Business

Improvement District is scheduled for Aug. 16. If more than 50% of

business owners representing the total assessed value vote against

the formation of the district, it will be vetoed.