The Downtown Area Urban Renewal District Board unanimously approved its fiscal year 2027-28 budget at its April 21 meeting, marking the third and final draft of the spending plan. Executive Director Ellie Staley reported that final revenue numbers are now reconciled with city records, including interlocal share, entitlement share, and interest income. The budget reflects a five to six percent increase in management and administrative fees, allocates $50,000 for continued park improvements at Soroptimist Park, and increases infrastructure spending to $1.5 million in fiscal year 2027 and $2 million in fiscal year 2028—a significant boost reflecting board priorities for public infrastructure projects. Board Member John How suggested cleanup of the budget document by removing line items that carry no funding for consecutive years, a recommendation Staley accepted.
The district addressed several maintenance and capital issues. Soroptimist Park received new solar-powered bollard lights to replace damaged units, and a large sinkhole has appeared near the Eagles Building at Rouse and Main, with city engineering investigating the cause. The district is also seeking restitution after someone drove through the park weeks earlier, causing significant damage to concrete tables and fencing; arrests were made.
The board deferred action on a $32,500 blight study for a potential federal building parking project pending more information from city economic development about the likelihood and timeline of the property transfer. The board also awaits city legal review of the infrastructure grant program structure, with the first applicant—Matt Payne's project at 302 East Mendenhall—expected to come before the board in May.