City Amends Sale Agreement with Table of Grace

The Sidney City Council recently approved an updated sales agreement with Table of Grace for a tract of land on the north side of Elm Street.

The City is selling the 3.2 acre tract to Table of Grace for $21,440. The tract is described as “adjacent to the old landfill” on East Elm Street.

In May of 2022, the city council approved the sale of a tract of land to Table of Grace. The plan is for the Table of Grace, with the backing of Sandhills Global, to construct a new facility. The facility will serve the community much like the current Table of Grace with a food pantry and store. At the location on Alvarado Street, revenue from the store supports the food pantry. Prior to reaching an agreement with the City, Table of Grace board members and Sandhills Global representatives sought privately-owned building options in Sidney. None of the buildings available met their needs or price.

The September 13 action was to correct an error, according to Mayor Roger Gallaway.

“Basically, we're having to redo this because of a typo and error,” he said.

City Manager David Scott said Table of Grace wants to move forward with the project.

“They are wanting to get some of their work started,” he said.

The agreement is contingent on Table of Grace developing and completing the outreach and distribution center. The future site is not to include housing or shelter for individuals or groups. In the event the land is not developed within 24 months of closing, and completed within 48 months from the date of closing, the City has the option of purchasing the land for the purchase price and the actual cost of improvements. 

Scott also discussed the option of Tax Incentive Financing (TIF) to help the housing need in Sidney. He said that Section 18-2103 of the Nebraska Community Development Law, TIF, may be applied for workforce housing, such as the Prairie Winds sub-division or Daily Drive.

In his presentation, Scott said the Workforce TIF will address these issues by allowing developers to utilize TIF for the cost to construct the private improvements.

Scott said the remaining challenge is finding a developer or propose to the city a development plan where the City might be the developer.

“This is what we've been working toward,” Scott said.

He said the funding is usually to develop infrastructure, but the city has it.

“I think it is a great program,” he said.

Mayor Roger Gallaway said a recent housing study shows the city needs 208 new homes by 2030, an average of 26 new homes per year.

Scott also to the city council the City was not awarded funds through the Nebraska Affordable Housing Trust Fund. He said the City did make the first round of consideration but was denied after that..

City Finance Director Lane Kizzire said the City was able to keep costs below the 2 percent threshold, therefore the City is not required to attend the Sept. 26 meeting required by LB 644.