Ron Leurquin states, in part:It seems like the pertinent questions are: What's in it for Minneapolis if they stay? What's in it for Allina if they stay?
As for Allina holding us up with their promises, what do people
on this forum think are the chances they are bluffing about
moving? They have a lot invested where they are at present to
pack up and move across the river.
I believe they are talking about relocating their HQ... I'd take them at their word. They likely have several options to choose from, including downtown (Mpls/St. Paul) and suburban locations... high paying jobs, and all. I'm sure parking and access are key variables. I don't think they are bluffing; I think it's a straight forward business decision.
Michael Hohmann
Linden Hills
Minneapolis does not have a city income tax, so the fact that there are some "high paying jobs" at their HQ should be almost meaningless from the city's point of view. The vast majority of people who work their are pink- and white-collar workers commuting from the exurbs, suburbs and cities where they live. If the HQ moves, they will simply commute to some other location.
Despite Abbott being one of the Allina hospitals, the amount of interaction between the HQ staff and the medical staff at this one (of 13) hospital is probably fairly minimal. So there's not much geographic advantage to remaining across the street from it, except maybe for the prestige and ego-boost and executive might get from being able gesture out his corner-office window at the Abbott campus when trying to impress some visitor or client.
Were it a straight business decision, I'd be looking for real estate that met the workers' needs, provided easy parking for the vast majority of the staff which commuted via cars, and was the right price. But no such decision is ever a stragith business decision. Every big corporate move I've been through or watched always considered things like proximity to the top executive's home, etc.
I'm sure there are some benefits to Minneapolis if they stay. But there's no way they're are worth the tens of millions of dollars it will cost the city to build the 35W Excess Project and handle the externalities it imposes.
Chris Johnson Fulton
REMINDERS:
1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait.
For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________
Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
