Harrison Lofts tax pact OK’d

DOWNTOWN: Council approved PILOT agreement on split vote.
By Benjamin Joe

The Common Council approved a city-drafted Payment In Lieu Of Taxes agreement with the developer of Harrison Lofts on a split vote Wednesday.

First Ward Alderman Joe Oates and 3rd Ward Alderman Mark Devine cast the “no” votes on the agreement, which will reduce Kearney Realty & Development Group’s tax payments on an 82-unit rental dwelling, 75% of whose units are to be artist- or artisan-preferred, at Harrison Place Building 3.

Devine said he opposed the approving resolution because he felt that he hadn’t been given enough time to digest the PILOT terms before casting his vote. The terms were spelled out for the council in a work session immediately preceding the Wednesday business meeting.

Oates took issue with some of the terms, including the set-aside for certain tenant types, saying he’d like to see someone working at Papa Leo’s also have access to an “affordable” apartment.

Ken Kearney had explained that the set-aside for artists/artisans was the result of his company having acquired housing, brownfield and historic preservation credits from the state. The estimated rental rate for one- and two-bedroom lofts ranges between $700 and $1,000 per month, he added.

Niagara-Gazette

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