Tax Increment Area
The City of Ridgefield is considering the formation of a Tax Increment Allocation Area (TIA) to support the development of Ridgefield as a regional employment center. The proposed Ridgefield TIA includes developable land suitable for commercial and employment land uses. A TIA will serve as an investment in critical infrastructure for future development of living-wage employment and desired services.
Project Background
The 2016 Update to the Ridgefield Comprehensive plan, developed with significant community input, outlines direction and policies to accommodate 8,708 new jobs, consistent with the City vision to develop a regional employment center, quality neighborhoods, and complete community. The Junction subarea, centered around I-5, plays an important role in attracting employers who provide high-quality jobs and employment opportunities for residents.
Without critical infrastructure improvements, the area lacks sufficient capacity to accommodate additional development. The TIA will provide the necessary investment in infrastructure to allow the area to reach its potential as a center for employment and services.
What is a Tax Increment Area?
The Washington State Legislature authorized tax increment financing in 2021. It is a new tool in Washington, allowing cities, counties, and ports to establish Tax Increment Areas (TIAs) to fund public improvements that help enable new private development. While this tool is new in Washington state, it is not a new concept. This type of financing has been used in many other states for decades. In Oregon it is called Tax Increment Financing and has been in use since 1960.
All TIAs must have a specified boundary, a set duration (maximum of 25 years), and a specific list of public projects to be funded. The estimated timeframe for the proposed TIA is 25 years.
What Action is the City of Ridgefield Considering?
The City of Ridgefield is considering the formation of a Tax Increment Allocation Area (TIA). The proposed Ridgefield TIA includes the property on either side of I-5 , north of South 20th Way and south of North 20th Street.
View the proposed TIA Boundary Map
As demonstrated in the boundary map, the area is mostly large, undeveloped properties that produce limited property taxes. The streets and the stormwater facility are necessary to allow the area to develop to add living wage jobs and services for the Ridgefield community. These jobs and services will benefit not only residents of Ridgefield, but residents in our entire region.
The projects being considered for TIA funding are new streets and the construction of a regional stormwater facility at the I-5 interchange. The specific projects being considered are shown below, but are subject to change prior to the adoption of the TIA, depending on final funding forecasts.
- Build a roundabout at 51st Ave and widen Pioneer to a 4 lane boulevard with center median and multi-modal improvements, similar to the already improved segment in front of Acero Apartments. Include storm water system and water system improvements. Widen Royle Road (45th Avenue) to minor arterial (3 lanes)
- Build N 5th Street or Pioneer Canyon Drive as industrial/commercial collector (3 lanes)
- Build N 51st Avenue as industrial/commercial collector (3 lanes)
- Build N 56th Avenue as industrial/commercial collector (3 lanes)
- Build S 51st Avenue as minor arterial (3 lanes)
- Build new east-west collector roadway south of Pioneer Street (SR 501) (2 lanes)
- Regional Stormwater Facility – I-5 Interchange
- North-South connector east of I-5
- Build S10th /11th Street Corridor and I-5 overcrossing
For additional information, please click here to view our published FAQ's.
Next Steps
Timeline
The City of Ridgefield is currently evaluating the feasibility of a TIA. Should the Council decide to move forward with adoption, it would be adopted by Fall 2023.
Public Involvement
The City will be participating in outreach to educate the community about and seek input on the TIA. The City will also be holding two official public briefings as part of the adoption. Those dates will be posted below when scheduled.
- Public Briefing #1: Thursday, July 13, 5:00PM
A public briefing was held to educate the public on the Tax Increment Area on Thursday, July 13 at 5:00PM in the Columbia Assembly Room at the Ridgefield Administrative and Civic Center (510 Pioneer St). - Public Briefing #2: TBD
If you have questions about the proposed Ridgefield TIA, please click here to view our published FAQ's and submit your question below if it has not been answered.