The creation of a building in which people could play basketball and pickleball got a boost from the Fort Dodge City Council Monday.

The council voted to include the site of the proposed sports pavilion at Corridor Plaza into the Center City and Industrial Park Urban Renewal Areas. Doing so makes it possible for the city to use tax increment financing to provide financial aid to the project.

On Sept. 11, the council voted to declare its intent to enter a development agreement with M & M LLC, of Ankeny, which is the company planning to build the sports pavilion.The proposed terms of that agreement call for the city to provide $2.65 million from a bond issue next year, plus five annual payments of $275,000 beginning in 2026.

Chad Schaeffer, the city’s chief development officer, said the agreement with M & M LLC will spell out exactly what the developer must do to get the money.

Councilman Terry Moehnke was absent from the otherwise unanimous vote to approve the measure.

The 200-by-250-foot facility will sit on the west side of Corridor Plaza on ground that has long been identified as the spot for a pavilion and plaza. Its entrance will face east. Inside, there will be four basketball courts, three pickleball courts and a microbrewery restaurant.

The developer, not the city, will operate the facility.

The pavilion’s cost has been estimated at $13 million.

In other business, the council approved the second reading of a measure rezoning property on the Fort Dodge Country Club golf course for residential use. The measure must be approved one more time to become law.

The council also applied for a $4.25 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help pay for cleaning up the Warden Plaza at 908 First Ave. S.

The money would be spent to remove asbestos and lead-based paint from the vacant downtown edifice.

City officials will learn in May 2024 if the grant will be awarded.