The Renaissance Athletic Club in Benton Harbor will soon ask the city commission for a tax exemption so it can do some major renovations.
The Benton Harbor Planning and Economic Development Committee heard last week from Cornerstone Alliance’s Zach Vaugh, who said the city previously created a Commercial Rehabilitation District for the club in preparation for the improvements.
“Now that we are ready to approach the commission to request the actual abatement, we wanted to come before the Planning and Economic Development Committee to share a little more detail of the activity that will take place,” Vaughn said,
The RAC is planning to upgrade the locker rooms, parking lot, shower area and steam room, plumbing, tiling, HVAC, and electrical systems. The $250,000 investment will mean about four new jobs.
City Commissioner Juanita Henry questioned whether four new jobs is enough justification to grant the club a tax break.
“When you give somebody something and they don’t give you anything back, I have a problem with this,” Henry said. “This is a private company that is not giving anything back.”
Committee Chair Duane Seats said the clubs has met all of the city’s requirements and is making a real investment.
If the city commission grants a tax abatement to the club, it will freeze the organization’s tax rate for a period not yet specified so the club can recoup its investment. The committee moved the matter forward to the full city commission.
