City committee to review downtown improvements
Downtown merchants would be part of a special assessment district for storm sewer and street lighting improvements under a plan that a city committee will review today.
In September, the City of Minot asked the Economic Development Administration for nearly $22 million to upgrade water mains, storm sewer lines, sanitary sewer lines and paving within 25 blocks that make up the bulk of downtown Minot. City leaders were told that they could likely expect a portion of that request, but not the complete funding.
In an effort to secure the funding, as well as the 20 percent local match required with this funding, the city is proposing to remove EDA assistance for parking structures designed to be surrounded by retail locations and apartments. The city would like to match EDA funding with a storm sewer and street lighting special assessment districts in downtown.
Downtown merchants that benefit from the more than $20 million in improvements would be asked to pay for about $3.2 million in upgraded storm sewer and light infrastructure over the next 10 years.
The City of Minot Storm Sewer Ad Hoc Committee will meet today at 11:30 a.m. to discuss this potential change in funding. Pending their action, the Minot City Council will meet to take up the committee's recommendation.
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State grant to help with demolition costs
BISMARCK - The North Dakota Department of Emergency Services has announced about $4.4 million in additional flood recovery funds for Ward County and the cities of Minot and Burlington to help cover the costs of demolishing unsafe housing lost to 2011 flooding.
The residential lots will then be made available for the development of low-income and moderate-income housing projects.
Last year, the Legislature authorized the Housing Rehabilitation and Citizen Retention Grant program and appropriated $10 million to help North Dakota homeowners cover the costs of repairing and relocating flood-damaged homes. The funds may also be used for home demolition projects.