Richmond council adopts downtown redevelopment plan and Chapter 353 tax abatement

The Richmond City Council voted on July 12 to adopt the Richmond Downtown Redevelopment Plan pursuant to Missouri Revised Statutes Chapter 353, establishing a downtown redevelopment area as blighted and authorizing tax abatements on improvements for eligible properties.

City Attorney Chris Williams entered multiple exhibits into the public record at the start of the hearing, including certified notices to taxing districts, the redevelopment plan and boundary map, a tax-impact analysis, and a blight analysis prepared by Development Initiatives. Council members heard that three merchants had applied to the program: Community Realty (Chastidy Loftin), Forever Fotos (Melinda Macey) and The Scoop (owners Everett and Mrs. Thompson). Staff said abatements would apply only to improvements and would extend for up to 10 years unless costs were recouped earlier.

Mayor Mike Wright closed the hearing after no taxing entity had lodged objections, and Councilor Powell moved to adopt the plan. The measure passed on a 5-0 roll call. Council also approved related administrative policy documents and program applications to be included in the public record.

Councilors noted the redevelopment plan is intended to stimulate rehabilitation and private investment in the downtown district, which was established in 2012. Brohammer and City staff said documents and applications would remain public record for review by taxpayers and interested parties.

The council followed the public hearing by approving two related ordinances that evening, including the adoption of the redevelopment plan as Bill 16-21. The next steps for property owners seeking abatements are to submit completed applications under the city's program guidelines for administrative review and council consideration as required by Chapter 353.