COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater City Council is scheduled to introduce an ordinance on Monday evening that would establish a Neighborhood Improvement Authority for the Thompson Boulevard area on the northeast side of Coldwater.
Neighborhood Services Director and City Assessor Deb Sikorski says in her letter to the City Council for Monday’s meeting the adoption of the ordinance is part of a process. The Council has already approved a resolution of intent, notified taxpayers within the district and the affected taxing entities, held a public hearing on September 23rd, 2019 and introduced a sample ordinance at that time.
The proposed N.I.A. would encompass vacant land, Thompson Boulevard, Michael Drive, Carol Court and Judy Court. Sikorski said in her letter to the Council that the neighborhood consists of 145 taxable parcels with an average taxable value of $41,280.
She said potential projects for this development area could include the Thompson Boulevard extension, the repaving of streets within the district, the establishment of a new park and the installation of new sidewalks and walking trails.
But Jon Houtz, who lives on Michael Drive, expressed his doubts about the benefit of a N.I.A. because it’s a brand new neighborhood during the public hearing.
Officials say the authority can be used by communities in order to assist with economic development and redevelopment in targeted residential neighborhoods. People who live in that district would not see their taxes go up.
