Broadway’s Big Boost: How a Hidden Tax Tool Powers New Food Stores

The brothers Jolly and Daniel Ghebreab opened Broadway Foods and a new laundromat in January, transforming a run‑down corner of West Central into a fresh grocery spot and clean wash area.
They didn’t just build the shops; they also upgraded sidewalks, moved power poles and replaced a broken alley. Their hard work earned them almost $250,000 in public money from a tax‑increment finance district (TIF).

What Is a TIF?

• Tax‑Increment Finance is a city trick that saves money on roads and utilities.
• When a new building raises property taxes, the extra tax goes into a special fund instead of general budgets.
• The city then uses that money to pay for streets, lights and other public works in the same area.
• Developers avoid paying all those costs out of pocket.

West Central TIF Structure

• Money earned in each part can only be spent inside its own zone.
• The district was set up to help the low‑income neighborhood next to upscale Kendall Yards.

Debate Over TIFs

• Critics: Subsidizes wealthy developers who might otherwise pay for their own infrastructure.
• Supporters: Encourages projects that would be too costly otherwise, especially in neglected parts of town.

Community Impact

• After a bad year during the recession and a controversial $500,000 spend on a city park bridge, residents pushed back.
• District leadership now directs funds toward local parks and affordable housing units, showing community pressure can shape money usage.

Ghebreab Brothers’ Vision

• TIF grant allows them to pay off debt and hire more staff.
• Plans: hiring, longer hours, future expansions—no flashy openings.

Their story demonstrates how a hidden tax tool can help new businesses thrive while improving the neighborhood.