Council finds Market District New Community Authority petition sufficient, sets Dec. 11 public hearing

Xenia City Council on Nov. 13 voted to find a petition to establish the Market District New Community Authority (NCA) sufficient under ORC Chapter 349 and set a public hearing on the petition for Dec. 11.

City staff explained NCAs are statutorily authorized bodies that can issue funding mechanisms — including property charges, income or occupancy charges — to support complicated economic development projects. Staff said NCA funding is envisioned to be a critical element of capitalization for the Senior Market District project and would be paired with other tools and bond financing to pay for site improvements, maintenance and long‑term capital replacement. Participating property owners identified in the petition include the Xenia Community Improvement Corporation and Xenia REH LLC, dba Dillon Development.

Staff recommended initiation of the statutorily required process, including notification and a public hearing, and council approved the resolution by roll call. Staff said subsequent steps will include returning to council with recommendations on appointments to the initial authority board, projected for the first meeting in December.

Next steps: publish hearing notice per statute, hold public hearing Dec. 11, and return to council for appointments and further legislative steps.