By Scott Carlson-NP Post
NORTH PLATTE, Neb.-The hot topic at last night's North Platte City Planning Commission meeting was the redevelopment of the North Platte Mall.
The commission held a public hearing on the approval of the rehabilitation and redevelopment plan submitted by North Platte Mall, Inc.
The plan includes numerous renovations to the mall property, as well as the outlying areas on the mall property.
The purpose of the hearing was for the commission to hear public comment on the issue and whether the property is in conformance with the city's comprehensive plan and is an overall good fit for the city.
City Planning Administrator Judy Clark said the property was determined to be blighted and substandard by the North Platte City Council in November of 1999.
On March 23, the commission made a recommendation to rezone the to allow for a Planned Business District. The council subsequently approved the recommendation on April 6 and again on April 21 with final approval expected at the May 4 meeting.
Clark said the plan includes reconstruction and repair of the parking lots, leaving the current Verizon building as is, and construction of a mixed-use building.
The plan also allows for additional improvements and repairs.
Clark said the city's Planning staff recommended the commission approve the plan and noted the high-traffic area and the need to renovate the property, something that has been needed for many years.
North Platte Chamber and Development Corporation President Gary Person addressed the commission and stated that this was a project that was needed for North Platte.
Person said he's seen numerous projects like this die a slow death and the current condition of the mall property is not conducive to attracting retailers.
"The previous owner was unwilling to spend the dollars it would take to fix up and make it compatible and presentable to the type of retail entities that a lot of people in the community people want to see," said Person.
Person said this type of plan is a perfect fit for what the city needs.
"We've got a lot of really neat things going on Downtown are, we have an Interstate that continues to blossom, but right in the middle of our community where it's the highest traffic area, we have a mall that's basically been dying for some time now," said Person.
Person noted that online shopping and COVID definitely sped this process up and the community should see the interest of investors as a good thing.
The approval of the plan is vital so that the group can secure Tax Incremented Financing as well as funds from the Quality Growth Fund, as well as declaring the property an Employment Enhancement Area.
Person said the Quality Growth Fund is the only actual resource that comes from the city. The other financing sources are the "full burden" of the investors.
Person said the plan will generate new income, new retailers, new employment, and many other benefits to the city.
Commission member Tristen Winder asked North Platte Mall representative Mike Works, of Lincoln, what the project would mean as far as job creation.
"Base on a three to four-year plan and if everything comes as we predict it will, that's about 450 to 650 jobs," Works said.
Works said this is depending on the big box retailers who come in and what type of retailer they are.
Clark read a statement from Regional Planning Director Chad Nabity in Grand Island praising the use of TIF and EEA financing to turn the Conestoga Mall from a property that was failing to one that is thriving.
After further discussion, the commission voted unanimously to advance the plan to the Council with a positive recommendation.
The council will consider the recommendation at the May 18 meeting.
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