With the council's sleight actions regarding the sale of 17 acres of Pinnacle Heights valuable commercial land to a nonprofit school for the sum of $1,700,000 representing $100,000 per acre without requesting at least three appraisals, as in the case of Costco, and also reviewing of the contract terms. Additionally, no questions were raised as to why this proposal did not include the state pilot program which would have given subsequent annual income to the city.
The hypocrisy of this whole issue was the many concerns that were raised regarding the Costco deal but those same concerns were never raised over the sale of Pinnacle Heights 17 acres to a non-profit entity.
I agree that the process for both proposals should have been the same. Why? I do find it interesting that under the previous Mayor the Republicans were anti any magnet/charter school due to costs and other facets. For some reason, the same party decided that property set aside for commercial investments, zoning for which was hard fought for by this Mayor and the previous Senator, zoning which included Big Box stores like Costco and the like, would now have it's entire landscape and future be forever changed by the placement of a magnet school on the property, never mind there will be no collection of property taxes. So, while I agree that the process should be identical, I also agree that this was a piece of valuable property---as you so noted--- that the Republicans should never have proposed as being the sight of a magnet school, in the first place. Was it just to fill that $6M dollar hole---$2M (magnet) plus $4M (Costcp) = $6M which makes so many of the reasons given why both are so good for me and my City very---well, you know....
ReplyDeletePutting a magnet school that focuses on medical careers is exactly what will entice businesses to come to that site. You are correct this property is valuable but only to the city not developers. Check the marketplace nobody is developing anything today.Investment is centered around government projects at both the state and federal levels with much of the private sector holding back. A state of the art magnet school is consistent with the surrounding development.
ReplyDeleteAnd no your math is incorrect as the Costco development and associated monies would have to stay in the special revenue fund not the general fund.
If you're so smart then bring the businesses there why don't you. It's the economy stupid! Keep voting for democrats and this situation will certainly continue!
Hey Trueworthy, have you found "the beef" yet?
ReplyDeleteTo: Anonymous & first commenter.
ReplyDeleteThis quote (below) from your comment shows that you are totally misinformed;
" Was it just to fill that $6M dollar hole---$2M (magnet) plus $4M (Costcp) = $6M which makes so many of the reasons given why both are so good for me and my City very---well, you know...."
Anyone that really knows, knows that neither the sale of the Pinnacle Hghts. property nor the sale of the SGC property (no money collected yet) may be used to plug the $6M budget hole. Wake up, find out, and tell the truth.
Mayor Stewart have successfully negotiated with city employee unions (one exception) and others to close that budget hole.
To: Anonymous & first commenter.
ReplyDeleteThis quote (below) from your comment shows that you are totally misinformed;
" Was it just to fill that $6M dollar hole---$2M (magnet) plus $4M (Costcp) = $6M which makes so many of the reasons given why both are so good for me and my City very---well, you know...."
Anyone that really knows, knows that neither the sale of the Pinnacle Hghts. property nor the sale of the SGC property (no money collected yet) may be used to plug the $6M budget hole. Wake up, find out, and tell the truth.
Mayor Stewart has successfully negotiated with city employee unions (one exception) and others to close that budget hole.
I was under the impression that the Pinnacle Heights property would be leased/sold to tax-paying companies. The magnet school, while a valuable asset, would not be paying taxes to the city.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous said...
ReplyDeleteI was under the impression that the Pinnacle Heights property would be leased/sold to tax-paying companies. The magnet school, while a valuable asset, would not be paying taxes to the city...
It was going to be sold to a taxpaying investor until Sherwood & Trueworthy drove that investor out of town with his $5 million that he had intended to invest in New Britain. As I recall, Platozs helped them with driving the investor out of town.