Superior expands area qualifying for incentives

Members of the Superior City Council made it official Monday evening. Approximately 50 percent of the land enclosed within the city limits of Superior is now designated as blighted.

While blighted is often a term used to describe the slum areas of our metropolitan cities. A different criteria is used when applying it to cities of Superior’s class.

Bobbi Pettit, a representative of 5 Rule Planning, the consulting firm hired by the city to conduct a blight and substandard study and general redevelopment plan, was present at the council meeting to answer questions from the council and general public before the council acted on the proposals.

She said the designation was not a reflection on how the property owners were maintaining their properties but was a term defined by legislation and if the designation was approved it would assist with future development projects.

Similar but smaller studies have been conducted in the past in association with local development efforts. This time it was decided to prioritize potential development areas and include as much of the city as possible.

Deficiencies found within the defined area include water mains with a diameter of less than 6 inches, the lack of curbs, gutters and sidewalks, deteriorating streets, landlocked properties and properties not served by public utilities. The average age of housing within the area was found to be more than 84 years old.

The designation does not place limits on how a property can be used but it does open avenues for funding improvements and developments.

The designation was sought for the Montana Meadows project and will help the needed infrastructure development. Similar designations assisted the development of Superior East and Kingswood Court.