By BILL SHEA
Messenger staff writer
A $4 million improvement project is planned for a cold storage facility north of Fort Dodge.
The project at the site once known as Omaha Cold Storage was revealed Tuesday by Vickie Reeck, the city's community development manager.
She told the Plan and Zoning Commission that BHJ USA Inc., the site's new owner, plans an addition to the building at 2472 170th St. The company also plans to buy more machinery and equipment and to conduct other plant upgrades, she said.
Replacing the 4-inch diameter sanitary sewer that serves the plant is part of the project as well.
Reeck said the work is scheduled to begin this spring.
At the facility, workers repackage and freeze beef and pork byproducts for eventual use by pet food makers.
On Tuesday, the Plan and Zoning Commission voted to recommend that the site be included in an urban renewal zone. Placing the site in such a zone would enable the city government to use $185,000 in tax increment financing money to help pay for the new sewer.
Tax increment financing occurs when increased property tax revenue from a designated area is set aside to be reinvested in that area.
The City Council will make the final decision on the matter.
Contact Bill Shea at (515) 573-2141 or bshea@messengernews.net