The City Council debated at length Wednesday a tax abatement request for a $3 million medical/office center before approving it.
The 10-year tax abatement request narrowly missed being tabled until next month after several council members said they wanted appropriate traffic requirements in place.
In a second vote that won approval, the majority of the council agreed to approve the tax abatement request with traffic limitations put into writing.
"We just want to do everything right," said City Councilman P. Lino Maggio, D-3rd.
The City Council last month unanimously decided to designate property at 6188 Marcella Blvd. as an economic revitalization area.
The second step in the process, a public hearing, was held Wednesday for the 28,000-square-foot building, which will be called Hobart Square.
Dr. Barry Ring, who came to represent the development, told the council he will be moving his Hobart-based pain management clinic to Hobart Square and will rent about 8,000 square feet.
Ring said the building will cost about $3 million.
"It will be a great stimulus for jobs, and it will help this city in many ways," Ring said.
Ring said he's had a medical practice in Hobart for 10 years but needs to expand.
"We've outgrown the size of our present building, and in four weeks I will have another doctor joining my practice," Ring said.
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