Jared Enterprises halts Brentwood blight attempt

Developer Curtis Jared was back before Springfield City Council last night in an attempt to establish the Brentwood Center-area community improvement district – this time without a blighted designation.

The proposed CID area extends along the east side of South Glenstone Avenue between Edgewood Street and Battlefield Road, encompassing the Brentwood North and South shopping centers.

Jared pivoted his plan for the Brentwood Shopping Center after city staff expressed their lack of support for the blighted portion of his initial proposal at the Dec. 12 council meeting. He said in later conversation the lack of support “felt like a punch to the stomach” after what he thought were positive discussions with city staff as well as the Land Clearance and Redevelopment Authority, which voted to support the proposal’s blighted designation.

City staff does recommend approval of the CID, which would allow for a 1 percent sales tax until the developer is repaid for public improvements or for a period of 25 years, whichever comes first. Funding would help pay for Jared Enteprises’ planned $13.4 million in improvements to the shopping center across from Battlefield Mall.

Last night, council members held a first reading of the amended development plan. Local resident Tim Havens, who spoke against the proposal at the previous council meeting, last night referred to the CID as “corporate welfare.” The owners of Name Brand Clothing, Melissa and Ed Malone, expressed concern the 1 percent sales tax would negatively impact their business at the Brentwood Center.

“We are obviously opposed to it,” Ed Malone said, noting roughly $14,000 in taxes would be passed on to their customers based on the company’s taxes last year.

Sarah Kerner, Springfield’s interim economic development director, said reimbursements of the Brentwood Center improvements via the CID would be capped at $1.9 million. Councilman Craig Hosmer wondered how the city would hold Jared Enterprises accountable. Kerner said CID reimbursements only are made after projects are completed.

Development Dynamics LLC principal Pat Nasi, who helped prepare the petition, analysis of the CID and potential blighting designation, said the developer is required to pay upfront for the costs incurred from the development of public street and sidewalk improvements.

“Unless the city and the CID approve the reimbursables, you don’t get paid,” Jared said this morning. “The money comes to the CID board, which then has to be approved. This is nothing new. It’s the same process they’ve done all over.”

Council will vote on the amended bill at its Jan. 23 meeting.