Republic Reports Columbus City Council Approved Tax Incentive for Doctor's Office and Developer's Seeking Abatement on Proposed Apartment Complex

From the Columbus Republic:

The Columbus City Council narrowly approved a tax incentive for $2.9 million in renovations for a downtown doctor’s office, over the protests of the mayor and Bartholomew County Commissioners.

The council voted 4-1 Tuesday to approve a three-year tax abatement for Tipton Park Offices, owners of the former Goodyear Columbus Tire store at 123 Washington St. The renovations will be made so that Franciscan St. Francis Health can open a primary care doctor’s office at the building, just off the Second Street Bridge.

To pass, the measure needed a majority of the seven-member City Council to vote in favor. Two members recused themselves, and council member Aaron Hankins opposed the resolution.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/local_story/City-OKs-doctor-s-offices-abat_1361332449

The developers of a proposed $11 million downtown apartment complex are asking the city of Columbus to forgo 20 years’ worth of property taxes to help make their vision a reality.

Columbus-based Sprague Co. on Monday asked the Columbus Redevelopment Commission to:

• Fund a bond of up to $2.5 million to cover part of the construction costs, similar to that given to Buckingham Cos. for construction of The Cole apartments.
• Pay for about $150,000 in sidewalk and street repairs.

Janeen and Richard Sprague plan to build Urban Elements, a 40-unit apartment complex in the narrow Washington Street lot in front of the Cummins Inc. parking garage, between Sixth and Seventh streets. Like the garage, the property designated for the apartment complex is owned by Cummins.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/local_story/Apartment-developer-seeks-majo_1361332477