Benton Harbor City Commissioners have approved the establishment of a Commercial Rehabilitation District for the Renaissance Athletic Club as it plans improvements at its property. At a meeting this past week, commissioners heard the club is planning to upgrade the locker rooms, parking lot, shower area and steam room, plumbing, tiling, HVAC, and electrical systems. The $250,000 investment is expected to create three to four jobs. The district sets the stage for the club to get a tax abatement on the improvements. Commissioner Ron Singleton said he supports the project, adding Renaissance Athletic Club works with several local groups to improve the health of the community.
“Then I think about the investment that it took to get that operation going, Singleton said. “It was willing to take a chance to do that. It’s paying its fair share of taxes now. I don’t think there’s any tax break on that right now. But with those big operations like that, you have to keep them up.”
Mayor Pro Tem Duane Seats said the issue was fully vetted by committee, and the club should get a break as it invests in the community.
“They do want to beautify it and make it better,” Seats said.
Zach Vaughn with Cornerstone Alliance said the Commercial Rehabilitation District could enable the club to come back later and request that its property taxes be frozen at last year’s level for ten years while it recoups the investment cost. The club’s summer tax bill last year was $28,000. Vaughn said more details will be available when the club comes back to request the tax abatement.
