The Downtown Billings Partnership (DBP) Board has reviewed this TIF funding request from DBA staff per the Council-approved downtown public restroom project coordinated for funding and construction through the City of Billings Community Development Division and City Engineering Division, and recommends the City Council approve up to $70,000 from Downtown Urban Renewal tax increment finance district funds to complete acquisition and installation of the restroom facility. Actual expenditure will be based upon 100% of the actual costs incurred for the restroom installation.

The application was vetted by DBP and City staff, and the project funding recommendation was presented to the DBP Board at its meeting on January 28, 2022. The DBP Board made its recommendation to City Council to provide this supplemental funding for the project at that meeting. The public restroom project is planned to be a permanent 24-hour restroom facility in Downtown Billings outside the Park 3 garage on 2nd Avenue North. A Community Development Block Grant (CDBG-CV) was awarded by the City Council in June 2021. However, with the time it took to get through the CDBG process and the necessary studies and various approvals, the initial costs significantly increased for the facility by about $30,000. With this cost increase in the last 8 months, the DBP is requesting funding up to $70,000 in TIF dollars to cover the increase of the unit’s cost as well as construction. The Downtown Billings Business Improvement District (BID) will be responsible for management of the project and the installation of the facility.

The project is the procurement and installation of a permanent restroom and handwashing facility in Downtown Billings adjacent to Park 3. The facility, called the Portland Loo, is a standalone structure designed to provide toilet and handwashing access. The facility was designed specifically to be easily cleaned and sanitized, is graffiti and vandalism resistant, provides privacy while also allowing for law enforcement to determine if the facility is being used inappropriately, and uses blue colored lighting to prevent needle use. The facility is able to be winterized to temps of -35, but can be closed if temperatures or conditions require it in the winter months. The Portland Loo will be keyed to allow law enforcement to open the doors if they are locked and access is needed in an emergency. The facility will be cleaned and sanitized by the BID.

The DBP Board supports the project and found it was a very strong match for accessing urban renewal funds because:

• It adds an important piece of public infrastructure to the Downtown area
• It aligns with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design practices promoting safe environments
• The application aligns with elements/goals of the DBA Strategic Plan regarding infrastructure improvements in downtown (may be viewed through this link https://downtownbillings.com/about/about-the-dba/), City TIF Policy, MCA, and the North 27th Urban Renewal Plan
• It conforms to the 27th Street District Urban Renewal Plan.

If this request is approved by the Council, its outcome will benefit the public to support a clean and safe downtown area and make outdoor and public events more accessible because of a public restroom.


 

City Council may:

• Approve the recommendation from the DBP Board for the expenditure of these TIF funds consistent with some elements/goals of the DBA Strategic Plan, North 27th Street Urban Renewal Plan, City TIF Policy and MCA, or;
• Modify the recommendation from the DBP Board for the expenditure of these TIF funds before taking action, or;
• Disapprove the recommendation from the DBP Board for the expenditure of these TIF funds. If the Council chooses not to approve this TIF application, the DBA will have to find other sources of funds to complete installation of this public restroom facility.

The total project cost is now estimated to be $187,000. The CDBG-CV grant will fund $117,000 of the cost. This TIF grant of up to $70,000 would cover the remaining costs beyond the CDBG-CV grant already awarded. The restroom facility is now estimated to cost $146,000, with installation at $40,000.  The project is expected to be completed in May and be included in the current FY22 budget year for the Downtown Urban Renewal District. The Downtown Urban Renewal District budget has adequate revenue to cover this cost in the current fiscal year, but a budget amendment may be needed, as it was not planned as part of the original FY22 budget.