Tax-increment disrict plan on Kalispell agenda

The Daily Inter Lake

Creation of a tax-increment district for a fledgling industrial park south of Kalispell will be discussed today by the Kalispell City Council.

The city annexed the Old School Station site - a small islandlike chunk of primarily farm land about two miles south of the main Kalispell city limit - last summer to be developed into a privately owned industrial park.

The creation of a tax-increment district would set aside some property tax revenue from future businesses at the park. That money would pay for setting up city streets, utilities and sidewalks in the park to encourage businesses to locate there.

This discussion will occur a week the City Council indefinitely delayed consideration of whether to declare 25 blocks in central Kalispell as "blighted," the first step in creating a tax-increment district. One reason for the "blight" vote stalling was the council's confusion over how to label the multi-faceted 25-block area, which was a mix of dozens of homes, some decrepit hulks, several blue-collar and boutique businesses, and few empty lots.

Also at the 7 p.m. workshop session today, the council is scheduled to:

- Discuss the Kalispell Chamber of Commerce's expansions plans.

The chamber is talking with the city about extending its lease on its current address, 15 Depot Park. The chamber occupies it current office to full capacity and is thinking about adding a new structure on the same land.