Commission approves Lynn Street redevelopment district and 12‑year tax exemption

The Bay City City Commission on March 2 approved two measures to spur redevelopment at 108–110 North Lynn Street: creation of an Obsolete Property Rehabilitation District and a 12‑year obsolete property rehabilitation exemption certificate that staff said corresponds to a $255,237 tax‑incentive calculation.

Commissioner DeWitt, speaking during debate, emphasized the incentive is a tax‑exemption schedule rather than an up‑front cash payment. "They are still going to be collecting over the 12 years about $157,000 of taxes from this property," DeWitt said, noting the agreement is intended to encourage private investment. "So this is not a — we're giving them $255,000 out of our coffers; it's a reduced amount on the tax roll to incentivize the investment."

A resident who spoke during the public hearings expressed support for renovating and restoring existing downtown buildings. "Anytime that we can renovate and restore what we've already got, business and our image, that's what we need," the speaker said.

Both motions were moved, seconded and adopted on roll call with all present commissioners voting yes (recorded as nine yes votes). The commission recorded the approvals as routine economic‑development tools under state statute for obsolete property rehabilitation districts and associated tax‑exemption certificates.

Next steps for the project include administrative implementation of the exemption schedule and monitoring agreed work milestones; staff advised that the property will remain on the tax rolls and that the incentive is intended to make renovation feasible for the developer.