In the current SW Journal (not online as of this morning), Scott Russell does an excellent job of laying out a brewing controversy surrounding the below-market leasing arrangement of the historic Wirth House to a private organization, the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Society (MRPA), a lobbying group for recreation programs. The group pays about $750 month and no utilities for the privelege of working in the historic, million dollar mansion in Farmstead Park, located in the 6th Park District.
A Minneapolis group called the Parks Legacy Society and the Mpls park system architect Theodore Wirth's grandson are continuing to raise money to restore and furnish the home of his visionary grandfather for use as a public museum. Incredibly, and despite current budget problems, a majority of the Park Board so far seem uninterested in the museum proposal and are lined up to renew the sweetheart deal with MPRA. It's time for them to stop and answer a few questions. Why didn't the Park Board put the original lease out for bid to try and maximize revenue? Who wrote the terms of the lease and what is the justification? What role did the Commissioners play in either writing the lease or securing the tenant? In an effort to deflect criticism the Board has now started a "just like money in the bank" defense, touting a purported $19,000 of "free" MPRA memberships it is receiving each year in lieu of cash. This in and of itself may be a violation of the Board's own regulations banning employees from receiving gifts over $100. Regardless, it's not "just like money in the bank" at all. Free memberships don't pay the utilities. The sub-market MRPA lease is bad public policy and smacks of favoritism at best. Meanwhile the efforts to preserve and make public the history of our amazing park system in its creator's home and office continue to build momentum. Rather than defending (and extending) a controvesial, exclusive lease arrangement with MRPA, the Commissioners should capture the positive energy generated by the Parks Legacy group and help to return the Wirth House to the public in a way that preserves the legacy for all. Niel Ritchie East Harriet __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! Health - your guide to health and wellness http://health.yahoo.com _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
