The Columbus City Council Tuesday approved a resolution declaring the city”s intent to issue tax increment financing bonds, not to exceed $450,000, for a hotel project on Highway 45 North, subject to a memorandum of understanding.
The money will be used for water, sewer, road and power improvements for a new Hampton Inn hotel, to be located between Belk and Sweet Pepper”s Deli, on property formerly occupied by Thomas Trucking.
Dr. S.L. Seti, who owns the Hampton Inn in Columbus and the Hilton Garden Inn in Starkville, is developing the hotel.
The Lowndes County Board of Supervisors also will be asked to approve a resolution declaring the county”s intent to issue tax increment financing bonds.
“This shows the city, in good faith, is negotiating and willing to participate,” Columbus-Lowndes Development Link CEO Joe Higgins said of the council”s resolution.
In other matters, the council:
- Recognized Main Street Columbus Executive Director Amber Brislin and the Main Street Columbus Board of Directors for the 2010 Great American Main Street Award, an award given to Main Street Columbus for its efforts in downtown beautification and building strategic partnerships.
The organization was one of only four winners nationally.
“This is a celebration for our entire state and city,” said Brislin, noting Columbus is the only town in Mississippi to “ever receive” the award.
- Authorized Energy System Group to perform a preliminary energy audit.
The preliminary audit, to identify potential energy cost-saving measures, will precede a technical energy audit, which will be sent with an application for a grant for possible energy-saving projects.
The preliminary audit will be completed at no cost to the city.
- Approved a request from City Engineer Kevin Stafford to install “speed humps” as “traffic calming devices” on 21st Street North.
- Approved a request to allow the sale of alcohol at the 2010 Southside-Townsend Park Festival. Ward 1 Councilman Gene Taylor asked the sale of alcohol be allowed at the annual festival for the next three years.
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