Planners OK blight for N.W. 48th, I-80

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BY MATT OLBERDING / Lincoln Journal Star

Another large area on the city’s fringe is on its way to being blighted.

The Lincoln-Lancaster County Planning Commission on Wednesday approved a blight designation for 503 acres around the N.W. 48th Street and Interstate 80 interchange.

A consultant’s study found a number of conditions, such as old or dilapidated buildings, improper platting and fire or other health hazards, needed to qualify the area under state law and join other areas of the city such as N.W. 12th Street, 56th Street and I-80, and West O as blighted.

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Though the Planning Commission approved the designation unanimously, it didn’t do so without questioning the wisdom of blighting an area that is overwhelmingly agricultural.

Commissioner Dick Esseks said declaring the area blighted seemed like “a manipulation of the law” to make it eligible for tax-increment financing.

A group of developers has proposed a business park in the area, and tax incentives would likely help them attract businesses.

 Urban Development Director Dave Landis said Esseks had a legitimate policy question, however, under existing state law the area meets the standards for a blight designation.

In the end, Esseks supported the plan because he said he saw the need for economic development with the country on the brink of a recession.

The Planning Commission was also scheduled to hold a public hearing Wednesday on the proposed business park, called the West Lincoln Business Center, but the developers asked for it to be postponed two weeks so they can work out issues with the city related to access on N.W. 48th Street.

Reach Matt Olberding at 473-2647 or molberding@journalstar.com.