La Porte approves $7.5'$8 million pilot to rehab Country Acres, includes police substation

La Porte City officials said they approved a pilot redevelopment agreement at the April 21 Board of Public Works and Safety meeting that will fund a full rehabilitation of the Country Acres apartment complex.

Craig Phillips, speaking for economic development, told the board the pilot agreement (a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes arrangement) will support an approximately $7.5'$8 million investment to renovate 100 units, construct a community building and provide space for a police substation in the redeveloped facility. "It's 100 units that are going to all be completely rehabbed and a new community building built on the front of the property," Phillips said, adding the project will be completed over roughly nine months.

When asked about public-safety impacts, staff cited five-year totals of 977 police calls and 272 fire calls to the property, figures a board member called "unacceptable." The pilot is intended both to improve housing conditions and to provide a policing presence on-site.

The board approved the pilot agreement by voice vote; city staff said the arrangement is expected to encourage private investment in a challenging property while generating community benefits. The board did not specify detailed PILOT payment terms in the meeting record; legal and redevelopment documents were discussed in principle during the session and will be reviewed as the project proceeds.

Bert Cook, executive director of the Leaport Economic Advancement Partnership, also reminded the public of a Microsoft community meeting that evening at the civic auditorium where residents could ask questions about data-center projects and related economic development plans.