Created Date – 1/1/2007 | Last Tax Year – 2031

University Boulevard District Plan

The 4th development area was established in 2007, known as the University Boulevard- South 12th West District. It includes an area generally bounded by South 12 West.

Proposed Redevelopment Actions

The Agency proposes to eliminate and prevent the spread of deterioration in the Project Area by:

• acquisition of certain real property;

• The demolition or removal of certain buildings and improvements for rights-of-way for streets, utilities, walkway, and other improvements, for public facility building sites, to eliminate unhealthful, insanitary, or unsafe conditions, eliminate obsolete or other uses detrimental to the public welfare or otherwise to remove or to prevent the spread of deterioration or deteriorating conditions;

• provision for participation by property owners within the Project Area;

• management of any property acquired by and under the ownership and control of the Agency provision for relocation assistance to displaced Project occupants, as required by law;

• installation, construction, or reconstruction of streets, utilities, including electrical distribution and transmission lines in underground configuration, if needed to encourage new developments, fiber optic or other communication systems, parking facilities, and other public improvements, including, but not limited to, irrigation and drainage laterals and ditches; storm drain systems; retention ponds; landscaped areas; paths and walkways; improvements to University Boulevard, South 12th West, and Yellowstone Highway; streetscape; and landscaping;

• disposition of property for uses in accordance with this Plan;

• redevelopment of land by private enterprise or public agencies for uses in accordance with this Plan;

• rehabilitation of structures and improvements by present owners, their successors, and the Agency;

• preparation and assembly of adequate sites for the development and construction of facilities for commercial, retail, entertainment, lodging, residential, and governmental use;

• to the extent allowed by law, lending or investing federal to facilitate redevelopment; and

• construction of foundations, platforms, and other like structural forms necessary for the provision or utilization of air rights; sites for buildings to be used for residential, commercial, industrial, and other uses contemplated by the Plan; and to provide utilities to the development site along Yellowstone Highway from University Boulevard to West 7th South.

In the accomplishment of these purposes and activities and in the implementation and furtherance of this Plan, the Agency is authorized to use all the powers provided in this Plan and all the powers now or hereafter permitted by law. The Agency intends to encourage development of a mixed-use project consisting of residential, office, and supporting commercial and retail. For purposes of this Plan, the reference to “mixed-use” development shall mean this objective.

Objectives

Urban Renewal action is necessary in the Project Area to combat problems of physical deterioration and economic underdevelopment.

The University Boulevard-South 12th West Project Area includes an area generally bounded by South 12th West, plus the School District No. 321 property adjacent to the west side, Pole Line Road on the south to Morningside and north on Morningside and along Fairview, Franklin, and Westwood to 2nd East. The boundary then continues from 2nd East west along Sunrise Drive to 2nd West, then north to 7th South continuing to 12th West, excluding certain property east of Yellowstone and south of 7th South to the new University Blvd., and as far east along 7th South as far as the west boundary of BYUI, and excluding residential parcels on both sides of South 5th West starting at Pole Line Road and going north to 7th South. The area has a history of a slow-growing tax base primarily attributed to inadequate street and utility improvements, inadequate public park areas, undeveloped properties, and other deteriorating areas.

This environment contrasts sharply with the growing economic and cultural strength of Rexburg and the Madison County region.

Hence, the Urban Renewal Plan for the Project Area is a proposal for major street, storm drain, and open space improvements to provide an improved environment for new and rehabilitated residential, retail, lodging, commercial, and industrial facilities; to eliminate unsafe conditions; and to otherwise prevent the extension of deterioration and reverse the deteriorating action of the area.

The streets to be vacated or relocated will create additional buildable area for retail, commercial, office, or public use. Vacations or relocations must be requested from the City of Rexburg or any agency having jurisdiction over the particular public right-of-way.

Air rights and subterranean rights may be disposed of for any permitted use within the Project Area boundaries.

Less than fee acquisition may be utilized by the Rexburg Urban Renewal Agency when and if necessary to promote redevelopment in accordance with the objectives of the Plan.

Temporary project improvement shall be provided to facilitate adequate vehicular and pedestrian circulation.

Agency may act to improve transportation opportunity through the Project Area. A further objective of the Urban Renewal Plan is to provide for the acquisition and clearance of property to be used for other public facilities. Over the life of the Plan, land use in the Project Area will be modified to the extent that buildings currently vacant and land underdeveloped will be converted to residential, lodging, commercial, retail, office, parks and paths, parking, and public/semi-public uses.

The provisions of this Plan are applicable to all public and private property in the Project Area. The provisions of the Plan shall be interpreted and applied as objectives and goals, recognizing the need for flexibility in interpretation and implementation, while at the same time not in any way abdicating the rights and privileges of the property owners which are vested in the present and future zoning classifications of the properties. All development under an owner participation agreement shall conform to those standards specified in Section 304 of this Plan.

This Plan must be practical in order to succeed. Particular attention has been paid to how it can be implemented, given the changing nature of market conditions. Transforming the Project Area into a vital, thriving part of the community requires an assertive strategy. The following list represents the key elements of that effort.

(a) Initiate simultaneous projects designed to revitalize the Project Area. From sidewalk improvements to significant new development, the Agency plans a key role in creating the necessary momentum to get and keep things going.

(b) Secure significant public open space. This open space will greatly increase property values adjacent to it and greatly contribute to a new sense of place.

(c) Develop and encourage new lodging opportunities, develop support facilities such as restaurants, and encourage new uses in the Project Area.

(d) Pursue development across all land-use sectors simultaneously.

Without direct public intervention, much of the Project Area could conceivably remain unchanged for the next several years. It is anticipated success will come through numerous public-private partnerships. The Plan creates the necessary flexible framework for the Project Area to capture a share of Rexburg’s growing population and economy.