Salina, KS — The Salina City Commission has voted to schedule a public hearing for December 22, 2025, to consider expanding the existing Downtown Redevelopment District to include additional properties, including the city-owned parking lot in the 200 block of South Seventh Street. The expansion is being evaluated to determine whether Tax Increment Financing (TIF) funds may be used to support potential redevelopment projects in the area.
City Manager Jacob Wood explained that Lighthouse Properties recently presented a concept for a downtown hotel on the Seventh Street parking lot. Because the lot is not currently inside the TIF district, TIF funds cannot be used there under the present boundary. Wood noted that the Downtown TIF has generated revenue at a “stronger-than-anticipated level” since it was created in 2016, leaving available funds for additional qualified redevelopment initiatives.
In addition to the Seventh Street parcel, discussions with Salina 2020, the City's master developer, resulted in additional areas near Theatre Salina also being proposed for inclusion.
“What this action does today is simply set the stage for a public hearing,” Wood said. “It does not approve any future plans or projects. It doesn’t allocate any funds. It allows us, if the district is expanded in the future, to consider whether TIF funds could be used for those projects.”
Proposed added Area to the TIF District
What Happens Next
The Commission’s vote on Monday does not:
- Approve the hotel project
- Approve any Theatre Salina-related project
- Allocate TIF funds
- Authorize construction or contracts
Instead, it initiates the formal review process required by Kansas law.
Prior to the December 22 hearing, the City must:
- Provide mailed notice to all affected property owners
- Notify Saline County and USD 305
- Publish notice of the hearing in the official city newspaper
Motion Approved
Following the presentation, the Commission adopted Resolution No. 25-8320, establishing:
Public Hearing Date:
December 22, 2025
4:00 P.M.
City-County Building, Commission Chambers
No members of the public spoke on the item during Monday’s meeting.