PORTLAND, Maine — City councilors Monday night approved the creation of a tax increment financing district covering most of the peninsula.
They also gave new life to a committee to deal with noise complaints, primarily in the Old Port.
Also in the 60-minute meeting, councilors approved the appointment of Brendan O’Connell to be city finance director beginning March 3.
Greg Mitchell, director of economic development, said the new TIF district, encompassing the peninsula from State Street to Washington Avenue and fitting between TIF districts in Bayside and along Commercial Street, could provide $15.5 million in revenue over the next 30 years to improve transportation infrastructure and public transit to downtown Portland.
The money could be used to pay for sidewalk improvements, intersection realignments and creating a “high-frequency bus corridor on Congress Street,” according to TIF documents.
In its first year, 12 percent of the increased property valuations will be set aside, with the amount increased to 22 percent for the remainder of the 30-year term. The area would cover about 422 acres, and $100,000 in TIF funds also would be used annually to fund marketing through the Creative Portland Corp.
City staff in the Economic Development Department also will be paid with $250,000 from TIF funds annually.
The new zone almost completely replaces a TIF zone set up to support the Arts District on Congress Street. The zone was reduced in size from 53 acres to less than 1 acre, and future funding will be used to support redevelopment of the former Baxter Library on Congress Street through 2019.
Noise complaints
City Code Inspector Chuck Fagone, Police Lt. Gary Hutcheson, Foreplay Sports Pub owner Rob Waitkevitch and city resident Jack Murray will comprise the new “sound oversight committee” established to help mediate noise complaints.
The committee initially was recommended by a Downtown Noise Advisory Task Force, formed in 2010 and created later that year. Given a term of three years, it had ceased meeting; but in response to complaints from operators of newer hotels about bar patrons in the Old Port, the committee was re-established by a unanimous council vote.
Police Chief Michael Sauschuck said any business generating two complaints a week will be investigated by an officer with a sound meter to see whether noise exceeds 92 decibels. If the complaints are justified, the committee could help mediate solutions.
Councilors Monday also waived a second reading to approve O’Connell’s appointment as finance director and initial salary of $106,050. He replaces Ellen Sanborn, who took a finance post with the school department.