TIFs and downtown development in Columbia

At a meeting tonight, members of Columbia’s City Council are expected to vote on a resolution offering preliminary support for a downtown TIF district. The idea, which would fund downtown infrastructure improvements, would freeze sales and property taxes for up to 23 years – money from any additional future revenue increases would then be diverted to a special fund for those improvements.

Local leaders and the community are divided over the idea. Today on Intersection, we’ll talk to the city manager about downtown development in Columbia. In the second half of the show, we’ll ask the city manager your questions, which we gathered throughout the week.

Panelists

Mike Matthes has been Columbia’s City Manager since 2011.

Brent Gardner is a realtor and chair of Columbia’s downtown leadership council.