SILT, Colorado —— A public hearing on a proposal to designate 32 city blocks in Silt as “blighted” and in need of redevelopment, along with a $4 million request to Garfield County to get new commercial development going, is set for Monday, Jan. 23.
The “blight” declaration is part of an ambitious economic development strategy in which town leaders hope to attract new businesses, in part by creating an Urban Renewal Authority that would be able to buy, clear and build new commercial properties.
The idea, according to Mayor Dave Moore, is to generate needed sales tax revenue for the town and give Silt residents better local shopping options.
Although trustees favor the action, Moore said Monday that he’s been “hit with a barrage of complaints” from residents and property owners within the proposed Urban Renewal Authority area. Notices went out last week to property owners with holdings inside the area.
“As recently as this morning there were some citizens complaining,” Moore said Monday.
