Depot grounds declared blighted

A large portion of the Sioux Army Depot is now more attractive to potential investors, according to city officials.

At Tuesday’s meeting the Sidney city council approved a substandard and blighted designation for the former Army base which makes it eligible for tax increment financing.

TIF allows developers to bond against the expected future tax increases after a development is completed to pay for public infrastructure costs related to the project. TIF has been a big draw for developers to build in the area, according to the city.

Other TIF projects in the area include the $25 million Bell Lumber & Pole plant in the Adams Industrial Park as well as the Cabela’s building on 13th Ave. and Illinois.

The city presented a report proving that the depot, consisting of 19,000 acres, fits the definition of substandard and blighted. The buildings at the depot are at least 70 years old, the area is contaminated with shrapnel, has old or insufficient utilities and has deteriorating streets and buildings.

“There’s some projects already that are encouraged by this happening, the likelihood for those projects to happen are far greater than without,” said City Manager Gary Person.