The Greater Altoona Eco­nomic Development Corp. voted recently to support renewal of a property tax abatement program centered on downtown but reaching out in all directions.

The Local Economic Re­vitalization Tax Assistance area was initially approved to begin at the start of 2015, and will expire at the end of this year.

Renewing the LERTA for five more years will require approval from all three property taxing bodies — the city, the Altoona Area School District and Blair County.

The program gives property owners full forgiveness for a year of the property taxes that are based on the value of new projects, with forgiveness declining 20 percent per year, until the owners pay the full amount after six years.

The longest eastern boun­dary of the irregularly shaped area is Sixth Avenue, while the farthest northern boundary is Broadway, the farthest western boundary is 20th Avenue and the farthest southern boundary is 25th Street, based on a map provided by GAEDC CEO Patrick Miller at a GAEDC meeting.

Within the current area in the last 18 months, there have been 104 building permits pulled for projects collectively costing $4 million, Miller said, citing statistics provided by city Commu­nity Development Director Lee Slusser.

That doesn’t include the on­going $13 million Silk Mill project near the former Bon Secours hospital, Miller said.

Overall, there have been about 200 permits pulled within the area since it was created, Miller said.

During discussions that led to the creation of the LERTA area five years ago, city agencies, the school district and the county worked successfully to add territory.

The former Wright Ele­mentary School, the Broad Avenue corridor and the silk mill site were among additions that were accepted.

At the recent GAEDC meet­ing, County Com­missioner Ted Beam Jr. suggested adding territory around 24th Street and Beale Avenue, to include the old Fiore Furniture building.

Amendments can be made, but at least some officials had hoped that the current area could be renewed without changes, to simplify matters, Miller indicated.

It would be especially difficult if all three taxing bodies started proposing differing amendments, according to city Mayor Matt Pacifico.

The necessary renewal ordinance is already drawn up for City Council’s consideration at its July meeting, Pacifico said.

Still, amendments aren’t out of the question, Miller said.

Mirror Staff Writer William Kibler is at 949-7038.