AUTHORIZES CITY OF SPRINGFIELD DOWNTOWN URBAN RENEWAL PLAN
Question: May the City authorize an urban renewal plan that allocates taxes
on downtown growth to correct downtown blight?
SUMMARY: The Springfield City Charter requires voter approval before City Council can authorize an Urban Renewal District Plan that includes allocating property taxes. Oregon law also requires that adoption of an Urban Renewal Plan be authorized by City Council in the jurisdiction included in the Urban Renewal District. This ballot presents the issue to Springfield voters so City Council may meet the Charter provisions and state law. About 70 Urban Renewal Districts operate in Oregon.
Springfield Downtown Urban Renewal Plan would focus any growth in tax revenue from Downtown properties and allocate it to the Urban Renewal Plan. The Plan would correct blighted conditions in Downtown Springfield which may create health problems and limit community and economic growth and may limit Downtown Springfield’s safety, and opportunities for Downtown redevelopment and revitalization. The Plan would facilitate improvements to correct blight conditions and support redevelopment and revitalization efforts. Other District’s taxing Downtown Properties would not receive any growth in tax revenue from
such properties during period of Urban Renewal Plan.
LWVLC research indicated there is no organized opposition to this measure.