A New Era For Urban Renewal
By Art Harvath

Since the Huntington Urban Renewal Authority has completed its work on the Pullman Square project not much has been on its plate. That may soon change. Walt Haglund, a Pittsburg consultant retained last year by Huntington’s Department of Development and Planning, talked with HURA on Monday about the key role it could play in revitalizing downtown Huntington. Haglund advises the City on Community Development Block Grant funds and urban renewal matters.
“HURA’s ability to borrow money or make loans is another instance where HURA can have a new role in some of the revitalization efforts that need to be done in the city,” Haglund told the Authority. “Its one thing to develop plans, but it’s another thing to have the financing to implement them,” he said.
Haglund said that recent state legislation gives the local communities the opportunity to finance new projects. The state legislature last year approved the use of Tax Increment Financing and Business Improvement Districts. He said this now gives the public and private sectors the ability to work together on projects.
A Business Improvement Districts (BID) is a group of property owners committed to improving the district in which they are located. BID projects can include improving the streets, sidewalks and surroundings of the District, to economic development assistance and marketing initiatives to assist the district's businesses. At least 51% of the property owners have to agree to the BID arrangement. There must be a public hearing and it takes the city council’s approval. The West Virginia Economic Development Authority must also approve a BID.
“It all goes through council. City council is your key to any of these improvement programs,” said Haglund. The BID then becomes an organization which has its own board and governs itself.
“But, they do not have any power except the power to levy special assessments on itself,” Haglund said. “And that’s why you need to use an agency like HURA which has other powers,” he said. Besides HURA’s ability to borrow and loan money, Haglund also mentioned HURA’s power of eminent domain.
HURA will meet with business leaders, the city administration, city council, property owners and Haglund to discuss the possible uses of TIF’s and BID’s to develop and redevelop part of the city. The Authority set no date for the meeting, but indicated it will be soon.