Council members spent three hours combing through details of the city's current tax abatement policy and the proposed changes issued by Mayor Frank Jackson last week. At the end of the day, members rejected Jackson's proposal and decided to keep the current abatement. Councilwoman Sabra Pierce Scott says that decision wasn't a snub to the mayor.
Sabra Pierce Scott: I don't think it really has anything to do with the mayor. It has everything to do with the residents in the city of Cleveland. And, what we know their needs are.
Jackson's proposal reduced the current abatement of 15 years for all types of new and rehab construction to seven years. And, projects with "green" building designs or energy efficiency would qualify for 12 year abatements. Some council members suggested adding Jackson's sustainability options to the policy, but were reluctant to reduce the years of abatement. Tasha Flournoy, 90.3.