Of course, word usage can be confusing, especially when assuming that the legalese version is at all similar to a word’s more common use in the public lexicon.

But make no mistake, in the Decatur City Commission’s ongoing process of securing interest-subsidized financing for three incomplete bond projects – Fire Station #1, the Decatur Rec Center, and Public Works – they will ultimately have to deem the land encompassing the Rec Center and Fire Station #1 and the Public Works site as a “slum” and/or “blight”.

Why?  Well, first of all, according to a letter to the commission from Peggy Merriss (page 50), the city wasn’t able to obtain “Recovery Zone Economic Development Bonds” – which would have provided a 45% interest rebate on loans – because the State didn’t make any available for local projects “not included in the original disbursements to county governments.”

So, the back up plan – which should provide a smaller 35% rebate on interest – is to go after Build America Bonds.  To do this, the city must jump lots of legal hurdles such as: deem it necessary to “exercise urban redevelopment powers” and establish an Urban Redevelopment Agency.

It must also legally acknowledge that these are “slum areas”.

But before we get all up in arms about use of the word “slum” to describe relatively nice areas of the city, note this part of the legal definition, as relayed by the City Manager in an email this morning…

“areas in which there is the presence of deteriorated or deteriorating structures; faulty lot layout in relation to size, adequacy, accessibility, or usefulness; deterioration of site or other improvements.”

The city believes that this accurately describes the three city buildings seeking redevelopment and renovation.

To be clear, the City Commission does not vote on the parcel designation at tonight’s meeting.  They will only tackle the issue of declaring the necessity of exercising the Urban Redevelopment Powers.  Most of the other aspects should be taken on at the December 6th commission meeting.

Oh, and one other interesting note.  In her letter to the Commissioners, City Manager Peggy Merriss raises the question of whether the undeveloped Trinity Triangle property – across from Fire Station #1 – should also be included in the designated “slum area”.  When I asked the City Manager about this, she responded…

I don’t know if the “Trinity Triangle” parcels will ultimately be included. We are trying to determine if it would provide some incentives or be helpful in getting the property redeveloped and get the project moving.