Revitalization Commission Agenda and Packet 2025 02 12

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Revitalization Commission Minutes January 22, 2025 Page 5of8 Commissioner Comments: Councilmember Dickinson asked for clarification on which interior wall is being removed. The property owner responded that the wall being removed is in the back of the building. Commissioner Williams expressed support for 100% reimbursement of this project given the size of the request. Chair Adler agreed with Commissioner Williams, noting that this project meets the intent for the program. Commissioner Iglesias also indicated that she is in favor of 100% reimbursement to help the small business owners of the community survive. Commissioner Tofte is also in favor of 100% reimbursement, and he expressed appreciation for this business on the South end of Main Street giving vibrancy to downtown. Councilmember Dickinson expressed support for the application, commenting that the LRC needs to be careful about articulating why we would approve applications at the 100% level. He asked the commission to define what the ground rules are for what allows the LRC to grant full reimbursement. Chair Adler commented that she supports 100% reimbursement for this project due to the added community benefit, increase in sales tax revenue from more people gathering in the space, and the ability to have events in the space which brings more revenue to downtown. Commissioner Lipton commented that the sales tax revenue increase is important to consider in providing 100% reimbursement for the project. Public Comments: Business Owner Tom commented that many breweries have closed recently. He said this space would help Crystal Brewing a lot and the sooner they can get the space renovated it will allow for rentals and events. He requested full funding for the project. Gillian Millar from the Louisville Chamber of Commerce expressed support for this application, noting that the business supports schools and chamber events. She added that there is a desperate need for smaller event space in the community. Downtown property owner Mike Kranzdorf requested that the commission reimburse the project for the full amount. He noted that the brewery expanded less than a year ago and the business likely would have applied last year for those renovations if the program had been available. Downtown Vision Plan Steering Committee The Director of Public Works presented background on the Downtown Vision Plan project and provided high level information on the draft construction schedule. The review of the RFP will be at a future LRC meeting. He also presented the proposal of a steering committee for this project and what the stakeholder composition of the committee might be. He asked the Commission to comment on the proposed steering committee composition. The Director of Public Works reminded the LRC that the letter the LRC sent to the Council regarding the Downtown Vision Plan included what the LRC's priorities are. These priorities will guide the project. Agenda Packet P. 7