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For the first time since 2004, Fairfield council is proceeding forward in creating a tax increment financing district in the north town center area of the city's downtown.

Council held a public hearing Monday, July 14, for public input on pending legislation needed to create the 30-year district.

"We essentially want to improve the town center area north of Nilles (Road)," said Fairfield Economic Development Manager Greg Kathman. "We think this is a strong tool for redevelopment for the next 30 years."

The TIF district would encompass the 150 acres from River Road and Nilles Road; River Road, across the northern property line of the apartment complex behind Fair Plaza, to Pleasant Run Creek; and along Nilles Road.

"We think there is a lot of positive uses that we can do in this area that the TIF would support," Kathman said.

The city's only other TIF district — which is an established fund to help pay for infrastructure improvements within the designated area — is in the Cincinnati Mills Mall area. The district being discussed will help redevelop Fair Plaza, which is owned by Neyer Properties. The project would develop the adjacent undeveloped land to the west along Patterson Boulevard and proposes a senior independent living facility, nine office spaces and three retail spaces totaling 60,000 square feet.

Kathman said the Fairfield School District will be made whole, paying the district what it would receive if there were not a TIF district before any money for improvements is taken out of the fund. Council has final say on allocating the TIF money, said Tim Bachman, Fairfield Development Services director.

Kathman projected the TIF district could generate more than $11.1 million over 30 years.

A handful of people spoke in favor of the district, but concerns that the money will only benefit a few were raised to council.

Buck Rumpke, of Pleasant Avenue, owns property

on Sandy Lane and said he hasn't seen the promises of improving Sandy Lane come to fruition.

"My history on Sandy Lane is of 15 years of 'let's first take care of something else,' "

he said. "We spent a long time designing and engineering streets and sidewalks and storm sewers, but they were never started because of some disputes of the property owners and the city just let it be."

Council held a first reading Monday to start the process to establish the TIF district. Council will hold a second and third reading at its Aug. 11 and Sept. 8 meetings, respectively. If the legislation is approved by council, the request will go to the state of Ohio in October for approval.

If it is approved, the county

will establish the base value for the properties within the district and create the TIF fund.

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5112 or mpitman@coxohio.com.