TIF paves way for mall improvements

BENTON - Scott County commissioners reviewed all 47 pages of the Tax Increment Financing agreement for the Sikeston Outlet Mall renovation with Jim Schwaninger, county economic developer, during Tuesday's meeting reviewing the latest edits for a final draft.

Following a public hearing, TIF commissioners passed a resolution at their Sept. 17 meeting to recommend the county undertake the TIF project with Phil Boyer as developer.

County commissioners are slated to formally accept the TIF Commission's recommendation and accept the agreement Thursday.

Schwaninger said the TIF project will renovate the outlet mall to bring in a Vanity Fair store.

"Most everybody is being moved around to make the mall as attractive and effective as possible," Schwaninger said. "Clean, shiny stores with Vanity Fair being a draw for customers."

He added that existing merchants there are "very positive" about the plan.

The Sikeston Outlet Mall is the largest sales tax revenue generator in the county and the third largest property tax source, according to Schwaninger.

The county has been losing some of that tax revenue, however, as sales at the outlet mall dropped.

In other Scott County Commission business, the sole bid for the new jail's back driveway from Morris Asphalt Paving of Jackson was opened but no decision was made.

Specifications call for two layers of asphalt - one three inches thick and top "wearing surface" of two inches - for a total of five inches in thickness, according to county commissioners.

The bid offers to complete the driveway for $14,880 or $12,680 if the county hauls the material.

Commissioners said there is no price per ton for the asphalt or any estimation of how many tons it will take on the bid.

"We don't have to meet the specifications," said Presiding Commissioner Martin Priggel. "Whatever suits us is good - we could leave it gravel if we wanted to."

Commissioners said the jail's main parking lot will be built to specifications, however, because of drainage issues.