Decorah City Council approves first step in Hy-Vee development

The developer of the project, Ridge Development Company, has asked for 15 years of property tax abatement on the increased property value of the building, a tax abatement which could total $425,000 plus up to $8,500 in city legal and administrative fees.  Ridge Development is working with Hy-Vee to bring a new grocery store to the former Quillins location.

Just one person spoke at Monday night's public hearing--Eclips Salon & Day Spa owner and former Decorah City Council member Jody Niess--who said approving the amendment should be "kind of a no-brainer."  With city council member Dan Bellrichard absent for Monday night's meeting, the remaining city council members then voted unanimously to approve the amendment.