New Sikeston theater plans move forward

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A commercial development project anchored by a new movie theater is another step closer to construction.

The Sikeston City Council approved by a 6-1 vote the 60 West TIF Plan and Project after a second reading during their regular monthly meeting Monday.

Before approving the TIF, council members first fielded a series of questions from citizens.

The two main concerns were that property values would be lowered because of the word "blight" being used to describe properties within the TIF district area -- and that properties could then be purchased at low prices using eminent domain.

Lee Bates of Bates Radiator and AC in Sikeston said his property was used in a photo as an example of blight and asked how this will affect his business.

"It's not going to affect your business," Mayor Jerry Pullen said. "Only good things come from a TIF district."

Councilman Steven Burch explained that consultants who conduct studies for proposed TIFs look at the area being considered for a TIF district and compile documentation of elements to determine eligibility -- such as blight, being prone to immediate economic development and stagnant tax revenue.

But those findings are only for establishing eligibility, Burch explained, and are not used to "impose any restrictions" on properties within the district.

Pullen recalled the TIF project at the intersection of Main Street and Malone Avenue that removed an old Missouri Department of Transportation building and replaced it with a new drugstore, restaurants, shops and a bank as a good example of what TIF projects actually do.

"You see all the good things that happen," Pullen said. "Nothing is going to happen to you from this TIF district. ... They're not going to take your business from you."

Councilman Bob Depro said even the affluent St. Louis-area city of Des Peres was able to come up with examples of "blight" for a TIF there.

"It's a tool, folks, to help cities develop property within their city," Depro said.