D'Iberville extends Lakeview TIF bond to include Academy Sports

D'IBERVILLE -- A tax-increment financing bond issued 18 years ago to develop the Lakeview shopping areas on Sangani Boulevard will be extended to cover infrastructure improvements for the new Academy Sports+Outdoors store.

City attorney W. Fred Hornsby III said a public hearing is planned at the next council meeting Dec. 1 for the bond proposal.

The city has used TIF bonds to help developers pay for roads and other infrastructure along Sangani, at The Promenade and for the Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort. Hornsby said two of the city's TIF bonds have been paid off.

Councilman Robbie Ellis questioned why the shopping center owners charge such high lease prices that local business owners can't afford to move there. He said 18 storefronts are vacant in Lakeview shopping plazas and rents doubled recently.

Mayor Rusty Quave said some of the shopping center buildings were sold, which may explain the increase in rent.

"The intent of Academy was to bring newer business into that area," he said.

In other action at Tuesday's meeting:

n Fire Chief Gerald Smith reported he turned over the keys to a 1992 Custom Pumper fire truck Tuesday to three representatives from Pearl River County. "They are very appreciative to the city and what we have done for them," Smith told the council. D'Iberville is buying two new fire trucks and was offered just $5,000 for the pumper. Smith said the city was fortunate to be in a position to help the Pearl River County's volunteer fire company.

n Marty Griffin and Tony Myers were each promoted to captain in the D'Iberville Police Department.

n The mayor and council voted to join Biloxi and Gulfport to look for opportunities to develop a high-speed fiber-optic Internet network in South Mississippi.

This story was originally published November 19, 2015 at 11:00 PM with the headline "D'Iberville extends Lakeview TIF bond to include Academy Sports ."