Eden Property Collection of Iron Mountain has approached the Dickinson County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority about creating a Tax Increment Financing district to move the project forward, Iron Mountain City Council learned Monday.

City Manager Jordan Stanchina said that once a plan is finalized, approval would be needed from both the city and county. The building, long vacant, is a remaining “eyesore” downtown, so the idea is encouraging, he said.

The developer believes the project qualifies for TIF funding due to blight. A specific plan for repurposing the property must be completed.

“Overall, that’s a whole block, which will clean up some things,” Stanchina said, noting a former office building may also be included.

The sign for the former Appliance and Furniture Mart building in downtown Iron Mountain still stands along Stephenson Avenue/U.S. 2 in downtown Iron Mountain. (Betsy Bloom/The Daily News)

In Michigan, the TIF mechanism allows municipalities to capture the increased tax revenue generated from a project to reimburse developers or other investors for costs associated with environmental remediation, demolition or other redevelopment activities.

Other local projects that have benefited from brownfield financing include the Venue 906 event hall in Kingsford and an expansion of Pine Mountain Ski & Golf Resort.

The Michigan Economic Development Corp. manages the TIF reporting process.

In other action Monday, the city council:

— Authorized no parking signs along the alley between East C and East B streets behind the AT&T building on Iron Mountain Street. Parked vehicles are crowding the alley, which causes traffic to go through private property, Director of Police and Fire Services Jeff Solka said.

— Gave permission to the Lilja Foundation to plant five maple trees at City Park. They will line the south side of the park’s entrance road in the playground area. Lilja Foundation is known for its commitment to beautification projects throughout the city.

— Learned that Bacco Construction Co. of Iron Mountain is close to finishing a redesign of the retaining wall on West Ludington Street in the area of South Pine and Forest streets. The project was initially expected to be completed in June, but there was a delay in getting the forms needed to pour the concrete walls, Stanchina said. Bacco was awarded a $399,155 bid in February and work began in late April. Payments to Bacco totaling $181,523 have been approved to date.

— Approved Solka’s request to purchase scheduling software from Vector Solutions at an initial annual cost of $3,244. The software will be used for both the police and fire departments.

— Heard Stanchina report the city’s Department of Public Works plans to replace 500 feet of water main on the north end of Golfview Drive. The section has experienced numerous breaks. Soil conditions in the area make repairs difficult, Stanchina said. A permit for the work is expected soon from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy.

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Jim Anderson can be reached at 906-774-2772, ext. 85226, or janderson@ironmountaindailynews.com.