City considers incentives for pair of potential developments

by Marianne Gasaway

The Clear Lake City Council set a public hearing for March 15 to consider providing up to nearly 41.5 million in financial incentives to two potential commercial developments.

City Administrator Scott Flory did not disclose the names of the developers, but asked the Council to consider amending its Urban Renewal Plan for the Clear Lake Consolidated Urban Renewal Area.  Flory told the Council the amendment would describe the use of incremental property tax revenues for a 47,000 square foot commercial retail space and 6,000 square foot commercial space.  

One of those developments could potentially be located in the new Courtway Park Subdivision east of Interstate 35, Flory said.  A Marriott Hotel is currently under construction in the subdivision.

The City will offer the developer of a 47,000 square foot commercial/retail space, with related surface parking, an incremental property tax rebate for 10 years, in an amount not to exceed $850,000.  An additional $350,000 in incremental property tax revenues would be used by the City to finance municipal water and sanitary sewer service mains and laterals needed for the project.  The developer would be required to invest at least $7.5 million in real and personal property.

The second development of approximately 6,000 square feet of commercial space, resulting from the developer’s investment of at least $1 million, would receive an incremental property

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institutions, as well as call center information.  Additional stories shared the impact of the coronavirus on everything from agriculture to social norms.  An editorial reminded readers “When You’re On Your Own, We Are There With You.”  

The newspaper also introduced a “Keep Calm and Carry Out” listing to help local restaurants who were suddenly forced to stop indoor dining service.  

A Clear Lake Game of Clues was developed to offer families a free activity which could be done safely and was included in a sample mailing of the newspaper so that all Clear Lake and Ventura residents would receive the issue free of charge.

“Imaginative. Bold. Graphics were great. Layout spectacular. Very thorough and well-written coverage,” commented judges on the entry.

Mirror-Reporter Photographer Chris Barragy also earned a third place award in the Best News Photo category.  Barragy’s photo was taken from the back of the gymnasium at Clear Lake High School’s commencement ceremony. Members of the graduating class seated apart from each other, as recommended by health officials, were a stark reminder of unusual times.

“Captures one of the two largest stories of the year in a subtle yet unmistakable way. The empty chair in the foreground makes the viewer wonder if there is a deeper story. Nice symmetry and composition,” wrote judges.

Barragy has been a consistent winner in the INA photo contests, taking honors each year since becoming a Mid-America Publishing team member in 2017.

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