URBAN REVITALIZATION DISTRICTS

URBAN REVITALIZATION DISTRICTS. Designated in the 1980s, revitalization districts were targeted at solving problems. In 2019 the city had thirteen such areas across the city of different sizes and shapes and all created for unique reasons. A district may have been created to aid one developer's property. Washington Neighborhood, in contrast, was designated a district in the thought that the entire area would benefit.

Property owners in urban revitalization districts could be exempted from property tax increases due to improvements they made to buildings within that area. After determining that the improvements had been made according to building code, the city froze the assessed value at the original amount so that the property owner did not need to pay more. Tax freezes could last up to ten years for residential or commercial properties, although the city usually granted no more than three years.

In 2019 city officials were considering a review of the city's revitalization districts since some had not been reviewed since they had been created. Some districts might no longer need the designation while other areas could be expanded. Focus would be made on low-to moderate-income areas because property owners faced a greater challenge to invest in improvements and also pay increased taxes. Community partners such as True North could also receive more assistance in its effort to purchase deteriorated properties, renovate them, and then sell the property as single-family residences.

Officials in 2019 noted that the city only receives between 14-20 applications annually from within revitalization areas.

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Source:

Fisher, Benjamin, "Dubuque Considers Revamping City's Revitalization Districts," Telegraph Herald, July 7, 2019, p. 17A