Downtown presents St. Joseph officials with one of their biggest fix-up jobs.

On Monday night, the City Council grabbed a tool it hopes will speed up the project.

The council voted 5-1 in favor of a plan to establish a Downtown tax increment financing district. Deputy Mayor Mike Hirter and council members Joyce Starr, Gary Roach, Donna Jean Boyer and Mike Bozarth approved the TIF, while council member Barbara LaBass was opposed.

Mayor Ken Shearin and council members Roger Baker and Bill Falkner abstained from the vote because they own property in the proposed TIF district - a conflict of interest, according to state statute. The three were not allowed to vote or discuss the issue with other council members.

The conflict of interest statute - not the TIF itself - brought out the most spirited debate.

Steve Holdenreid, a citizen who frequently comments on city issues, accused Mr. Shearin of violating the statute and called for the council to remove him from office. Mr. Holdenreid's argument focused on a town hall meeting on the TIF held last Thursday. Mr. Shearin attended the meeting, as did Mr. Bozarth, Mr. Hirter and Ms. LaBass.

Mr. Holdenreid did not attend the meeting and asked the council members who did attend if they recalled Mr. Shearin discussing the TIF. Mr. Bozarth said he did not recall, while Ms. Boyer said Mr. Shearin did mention the TIF.

"He broke Missouri state law," Mr. Holdenreid said. "That is a misdemeanor and it is my opinion that you have the responsibility to remove this man from office."

The council did not respond to or take any action on Mr. Holdenreid's accusations.

Mr. Shearin had left the council chambers for the vote but was able to hear Mr. Holdenreid's accusations through the wall.

The two men shook hands and exchanged quick words after the meeting.

"I'm glad you could show everybody just how smart you are," Mr. Shearin said.

"I think this shows just how smart you are," Mr. Holdenreid replied.

The News-Press observed Mr. Shearin sitting silently with his arms folded throughout most of last week's town hall meeting. At times he smiled or winked to show how hard it was to remain quiet. The mayor did not speak up until a question was asked about the city's sewer problems. He commented briefly on Downtown late in the meeting, using himself and Jim Root as examples of businessmen who had enjoyed Downtown success, but did not state his opinion on the TIF.

"He wasn't even at the meeting, so how would he know anyway?" Mr. Shearin asked.

Speculation had surrounded Mr. Bozarth's TIF vote for two weeks. The council postponed the decision at its previous meeting when Mr. Bozarth was unable to attend. He ended the suspense early Monday, making the first comment when the council began discussion on the issue.

"I intend to support this, but I want to point out that I'll be looking for infrastructure improvements because that will make a difference whether I support other TIFs Downtown," Mr. Bozarth said.

The council's vote approves the concept of using TIF Downtown, but does not approve any specific projects. The council and TIF Commission will review individual projects on a case-by-case basis.

Two 'nay' votes would have sunk the plan. Ms. LaBass had consistently stated her opposition to the TIF, while the other four were widely thought to favor the idea.

The TIF is designed to promote redevelopment in a 113-acre area roughly bounded by Interstate 229 on the west, 10th Street on the east, Faraon Street on the north and Charles and Sylvanie streets on the south.

The News-Press lies within the district.

The city plans to activate the TIF in four stages. The first would establish an entertainment district at an estimated cost of $25 million. The district will extend from Fifth Street to Ninth Street with Felix Street at its core, but it will reach north and south to include properties such as the Missouri Theater.

The second stage would create a convention area west of the entertainment district, with a hotel and a new convention center. The third and fourth stages would focus on development in the areas north and south of the entertainment district, east of the convention area.

Clinton Thomas can be reached

at clintonthomas@npgco.com.