The meeting’s primary focus was the establishment of the TIF district, which aims to transform a blighted area into a mixed-income residential hub. The project, spearheaded by Rochester Lowertown Apartments LLC, is set to begin construction by June 2026 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. The development will include 133 units, with amenities such as parking, fitness rooms, club rooms, and a rooftop deck. The site will also feature walk-up units along First Avenue.

The TIF district, categorized under redevelopment due to the site’s blighted condition, will see the current property value of $1.3 million rise to an estimated $27.4 million upon project completion. The financial structure of the TIF district involves the city collecting 5% to cover administrative expenses, with 90% of the increment directed back to the developer. The remaining 5% will be pooled for future affordable housing initiatives within the community.

During the public hearing, the neighborhood association president expressed strong support for the project, emphasizing its potential to revitalize the area and enhance local business activity. The developer received praise for maintaining community relations by preserving trees on the site during the interim period.

The project was highlighted as a strategic move to increase neighborhood density and improve safety along the North Broadway transit corridor. Council members discussed the benefits of TIF in addressing housing needs, particularly for workforce housing, and clarified that the initiative does not raise existing property taxes. Instead, it allows the city to eventually capture increased tax revenues once the TIF district is decertified.