Eva said: Just how is this going to help the city?
I say: First, how will the city lose $750,000 a year? Right now they are collected 0 tax revenue for that building. I think the appropriate terminology is that they will not add another $750,000 to the tax rolls. The city waived collecting taxes in exchange for the stability that Allina brings to the redevelopment of Sears. That seems like a pretty fair quid pro quo to me. The area around Sears has been a ghastly site for many years including the Sears building standing empty and all boarded up. It has been a spot where criminal activity thrives. Now, I am finally beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Where a bank stood vacant for I can't even remember how long is a shiny new Mexican restaurant. I expect the ugly dollar store behind the Sears building will be redeveloped by someone as well in addition to the whole area. The new positive activity in this area will drive the crime to some other place. (sorry if it's your block) Property values will rise and contribute more money to the tax rolls. There will be new businesses in buildings that have had substandard uses or been vacant for many years. These businesses will contribute to the tax rolls. I also believe that there will be employees working at Allina that do live in the neighborhood. The addition of the hotel to house people who have relatives in Abbott Northwestern will bring additional spending dollars into the area that now comes and goes and jobs. My personal hope is that they will add a water park in the hotel and make it attractive to locals looking for a Faux tropical escape from the harsh of winter. It would be cheaper than a plane ticket to Florida. I haven't calculated all the financial issues surrounding the tax break but to say we will get nothing for our money or should I say loss of tax revenue is incorrect. I am sure Allina is investing quite a bit of money to the actual redevelopment of the Sears site and will pay quite a bit of rent while they are there. Not to mention the dollars the corporation and their employees will spend in the area. I would salivate just to get the office supply contract. I am very excited about this development and I am glad that after years of continuous blight we are finally going to see a vibrant thriving area emerge at this important commercial node in Minneapolis. I sat with Muriel Simmons, the chair of the Phillips West Neighborhood Association yesterday as she waited on pins and needles for the Allina Board vote. She prayed it would be in the affirmative. She must have a direct line to the man. Congratulations to Phillips West, Central, Powderhorn Park and Midtown Phillips and to Councilmemeber Robert Lilligren and CPED for their great advocacy on this project. This is another example of my Margaret Mead signature. Bring it on Allina! Barb Lickness Whittier NRP Staff to Phillips West ===== "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." -- Margaret Mead 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
