The Grand Forks Planning and Zoning Commission voted Wednesday to identify a block proposed for redevelopment near downtown as "slum and blight."
Identifying the area-along University Avenue between North Eighth Street and North Ninth Street-as "slum and blight" is necessary by law for Dakota Commercial and Development Co. to receive requested tax incentives for redevelopment.
Dakota Commercial has proposed a new apartment building with 67 to 70 units in the area which now holds about 30 residential units in nine buildings.
The tax exemption would allow the developer to pay property taxes based on the current value of the land for a requested 10 to 15 years. Without the exemption, property taxes would increase once the new building is complete because the property's value would increase.
Before voting to identify the area as "slum and blight," multiple planning and zoning commissioners said the area is easily called a slum and could benefit from redevelopment.
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"I've seen the neighborhood, I think it meets that definition," Commissioner Molly Soeby said.
The requested tax exemption for the project still must be approved by Grand Forks City Council.
