Manhattan Boulevard corridor could benefit from special district, Jefferson Parish councilman says

The Jefferson Parish Council will consider re-establishing a special taxing district for Manhattan Boulevard in Harvey to pay for infrastructure improvements. The measure, sponsored by Councilman Mark Spears, is not a new tax, but would direct sales tax dollars to the Manhattan Corridor Economic Development District that could attract more  businesses. The council approved a similar district for Manhattan...

The Jefferson Parish Council will consider re-establishing a special taxing district for Manhattan Boulevard in Harvey to pay for infrastructure improvements. The measure, sponsored by Councilman Mark Spears, is not a new tax, but would direct sales tax dollars to the Manhattan Corridor Economic Development District that could attract more  businesses.

The council approved a similar district for Manhattan and the corridor near Oakwood Shopping Center in Terrytown in 2007 in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and robust sales tax receipts. But the Manhattan district was never "activated,'' Spears said, prompting the need for new legislation.

The council rescinded the former Manhattan district in April.

Spears said the district would help capitalize on businesses setting up shop along one of the West Bank's major commercial centers as well as last year's addition of a third lane to northbound Manhattan. Fleming Construction was the contractor on that at a cost of $3.5 million.

"There's been a lot of growth on Manhattan,'' Spears said. "It just makes sense to beautify it.''

He envisions landscaping and decorative lighting along the street, similar to an effort along Terry Parkway in recent years, pushed by Council Chairman Chris Roberts, as part of the Oakwood initiative.

The special tax district includes unincorporated Jefferson on both sides of Manhattan Boulevard as well as Fourth Street to the north and Harvey Boulevard to the south. The ordinance directs sales taxes above an annual baseline rate of $2.6 million be directed to the Manhattan fund.