MONROE - Aldermen voted 7-1 on Tuesday to allow the segment of 5th Street running from 20th Avenue to 22nd Avenue to be discontinued as part of Monroe Clinic's renovation project.
The agreement was made after the Plan Commission recommended the measure, provided that Monroe Clinic allow for an easement of all the city utilities located within the area.
Planning and demolition for the project began in 2015.
Since then, Monroe Clinic has solidified its plans. Demolition of the aging St. Clare Center along 5th Street occurred this spring. The renovation includes expanding the clinic building toward 22nd Avenue where a parking lot currently exists. Parking will then be added the space where St. Clare Center had stood. Construction is set to continue through 2018. The expansion is scheduled to open in 2019. The remainder of the St. Clare Center will be torn down and replaced with parking in 2020.
The city recently moved forward with a plan to include Monroe Clinic as part of proposed Tax Increment District 10. A Pay-Go, or pay-as-you-go model, the district would not provide tax incentives to the business for its performance until the work is completed. On July 5, council members instructed staff to take steps to create TID 10.
Monroe Clinic made the request to create a TID that would allow for incentives to be given once construction is completed. City Administrator Phil Rath pointed to the Pay-Go model as one that would allow smaller incentives if the development does reach its anticipated tax value. During a council meeting on May 17, Mike Sanders, president and CEO of Monroe Clinic, said the request is to provide a financially feasible cancer treatment addition, as well as the ability to keep laundry facilities within clinic walls.
Monroe Common Council members Brooke Bauman, Tom Miller, Chris Beer, Jeff Newcomer, Richard Thoman, Ron Marsh and Rob Schilt voted to vacate and discontinue the two-block section. Alderman Charles Koch voted against it. Council member Michael Boyce was absent.
The agreement was made after the Plan Commission recommended the measure, provided that Monroe Clinic allow for an easement of all the city utilities located within the area.
Planning and demolition for the project began in 2015.
Since then, Monroe Clinic has solidified its plans. Demolition of the aging St. Clare Center along 5th Street occurred this spring. The renovation includes expanding the clinic building toward 22nd Avenue where a parking lot currently exists. Parking will then be added the space where St. Clare Center had stood. Construction is set to continue through 2018. The expansion is scheduled to open in 2019. The remainder of the St. Clare Center will be torn down and replaced with parking in 2020.
The city recently moved forward with a plan to include Monroe Clinic as part of proposed Tax Increment District 10. A Pay-Go, or pay-as-you-go model, the district would not provide tax incentives to the business for its performance until the work is completed. On July 5, council members instructed staff to take steps to create TID 10.
Monroe Clinic made the request to create a TID that would allow for incentives to be given once construction is completed. City Administrator Phil Rath pointed to the Pay-Go model as one that would allow smaller incentives if the development does reach its anticipated tax value. During a council meeting on May 17, Mike Sanders, president and CEO of Monroe Clinic, said the request is to provide a financially feasible cancer treatment addition, as well as the ability to keep laundry facilities within clinic walls.
Monroe Common Council members Brooke Bauman, Tom Miller, Chris Beer, Jeff Newcomer, Richard Thoman, Ron Marsh and Rob Schilt voted to vacate and discontinue the two-block section. Alderman Charles Koch voted against it. Council member Michael Boyce was absent.