Agenda 08/26/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 31,2008 reasonable options such as Commonwealth Center, Resurgence HQ or the Civic Data Facility; The City should focus its recruitment efforts on office, data and retail/ commercial development and rely on its revenue sharing agreement with Henry County to generate manufacturing/warehouse tax and job growth and the City and County's recruitment efforts should complement and not compete; The City should consider investing the money available for Clearview improvements into a retail/ commercial incentive pool and the timing is right in light of the City's adjustment of its Enterprise Zone boundaries. Mr. Heath pointed out the option is available to make the two tracts near the Athena building available. He also pointed out that prospects for Clearview would be in competition for projects in the Patriot Centre and we would be competing against ourselves. After discussion by Council on opportunities for revenue sharing all lots at the Patriot Centre as well as Clearview and Rives Road, it was agreed to by Council that the Mayor, Vice Mayor and City Manager will have conversations with County officials to expand revenue sharing opportunities. Mr. Heath pointed out it would be very valuable and we would be in a much stronger position if we send the message to the clients that we have a unified effort. Mr. Heath also stated the EDC board could be the one to drive the conversation between the City and the County. Rives Road industrial site-Mr. Heath reported this site has been recommended six times to various prospects since February 2006. Challenges include: limited amount of land; long, narrow site resulting in limited amount of building acreage; residential encroachment; dangerous access into site over Norfolk Southern main line and two lane road; higher development costs due to topography of site. Opportunities include: rail site; potentially attractive to smaller, commodity driven clients; city could investigate acquiring adjoining properties to improve appearance and site access. Mr. Heath recommended acquiring some adjoining property at Martinsville Novelty plant but not sure if cost benefit ratio would make it worth it. He stated we would need to get engineering help to maximize use of property as it does not fit the model clients are looking for today. In accordance with Section 2.1-344 (A) of the Code of Virginia (1950, and as amended) and upon a motion by Kimble Reynolds, Jr., seconded by Gene Teague, with the following recorded vote: Lawson, aye; Reynolds, aye; Teague, aye; Stroud,