GRAND FORKS - Grand Forks city officials have received state permission to develop a Renaissance Zone centered on the Grand Cities Mall.
The Grand Forks Herald reports that a zone would give developers investing new money in that area breaks on property and state income taxes - a move officials think might revitalize the area. The City Council will have to approve.
State law says the city can add three blocks to its main Renaissance Zone downtown. The issue was whether large areas around the Grand Cities Mall that aren't subdivided by streets would qualify as three single blocks.
Katie Brockpahler with the city's Urban Development office says the state approved the 45-acre area as constituting three blocks.
