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methods to improve the geographic <br />balance of recipients, perhaps by altering <br />the required number of jobs created or <br />developing other programmatic changes <br />that allow all regions of the state to better <br />prosper. <br />LE-24. Land Recycling and <br />Redevelopment <br />Issue: Communities across Minnesota are <br />faced with expensive barriers to re -using <br />property. These roadblocks include <br />deteriorating, obsolete, and vacant <br />structures, and contaminated land. <br />Larger scale redevelopment projects often <br />require the purchase and assembly of <br />multiple, smaller parcels of land that are not <br />suitable for development on their own. <br />Cities and development authorities may <br />need to purchase land over a period of years <br />and hold them for later development, <br />reducing the effectiveness of traditional <br />financing tools that require immediate <br />development. <br />Such barriers pose significant problems for <br />cities seeking to re -use existing <br />infrastructure, maintain and improve <br />property tax base, provide jobs and housing <br />opportunities, and preserve historic <br />structures. Land recycling activities are <br />particularly costly because significant <br />remediation must occur before private -sector <br />interest can be generated. Exacerbating this <br />situation, the land recycling programs <br />administered by the Department of <br />Employment and Economic Development <br />(DEED) and the Metropolitan Council <br />programs continue to be underfunded. <br />Response: In recognition of the unique <br />needs of land recycling projects statewide, <br />the Legislature should increase funding <br />for the statewide redevelopment account. <br />The League of Minnesota Cities would <br />also support the creation of a land <br />assembly grant or loan program to assist <br />cities and economic development <br />authorities assemble small parcels for <br />redevelopment. The League supports <br />competitive programs administered by <br />DEED with both bonding and general <br />fund appropriations that distribute the <br />funds equitably between greater <br />Minnesota and the metro area. The <br />Legislature should continue its support <br />and increase funding levels for state and <br />regional programs to assist in <br />contamination cleanup and brownfields <br />remediation efforts. <br />The State should recognize that the <br />rehabilitation of land due to obsolescence <br />or incompatible land uses is a component <br />of redevelopment. The Legislature should <br />amend the definition of redevelopment <br />district under the TIF Act to include the <br />obsolescence and incompatible land uses <br />included in a renewal and renovation <br />district, thereby providing cities with <br />more flexible tools to address land <br />recycling and redevelopment. <br />The Legislature should also revive a <br />program similar to "This Old Shop", <br />which would allow cities greater <br />flexibility in targeting commercial <br />development and redevelopment. The <br />Legislature should consider enacting <br />authority that would provide a tax <br />deferral on improvements to commercial <br />buildings, including those located in <br />designated rehabilitation or historic <br />preservation districts. The program's age <br />limit qualifications should include <br />properties that are at least 30 years old. <br />LE-25. Development Authority <br />Levy Limits <br />Issue: Under Minn. Stat. § 469.107, § <br />469.033, and § 469.053, Economic <br />League of Minnesota Cities <br />2018 City Policies Page 67 <br />