Dupage Policy Journal

Jennifer Bruzan Taylor, Councilwoman of Naperville City Council, said The Naperville City Council has approved a $13.4 million sales tax incentive for the Heritage Square Shopping Center redevelopment project. on Apr 3rd.

"I do support the project itself," Bruzan Taylor said. "I just don't support the business district aspect."

The Daily Herald reported the council voted 6-3 in favor of the effort back in March.

Known as Block 59, the proposal from Brixmor Property Group attracted a negative reaction from some community members and city council members who felt the company didn't need the boost to redevelop the land at the northeast corner of Route 59 and Aurora Avenue.

"It's not an easy call, to be honest with you," Councilman Patrick Kelly said of his support of the business district, the Daily Herald reported. "But I do think the project is good."

Bruzan Taylor joined Ian Holzhauer and Theresa Sullivan in voting against the incentive that will add 1% to the sales tax for businesses in Heritage Square until $13.4 million is collected or 23 years expire.

The Chicago Tribune reported District 204 Superintendent Adrian Talley wrote a letter to the council in support of the effort, saying it’ll bring needed income to his schools.

“The more businesses we can bring to our district, the greater our chance to reduce the funding disparity that is current within our district,” he said.

This comes after the council voted in favor of creating a 1% sales tax for businesses in the Heritage Square Shopping Center.

With the 1% added sales tax set to go into effect on July 1, the funds will go toward demolition, infrastructure and site upgrades. As part of the agreement, Brixmor agrees to contribute up to $250,000 toward the cost of a new traffic signal at the shopping center's northern entrance on Jefferson Avenue.