The second principle of government service I learned in my Public Administration class is that you don't get parks named after you when you're gone just because you hired a couple of life guards or fence builders.
You get parks or buildings named after you only when you are instrumental in designing or building something magnificent. The third principle is that while it may be that your magnificent project costs more than the community can afford, the public will forget that by the time of the next election. Ray Marshall Minnehaha -----Original Message----- Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2004 23:46:46 GMT From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [Mpls] MPRB as MCDA The commercialization of MP&RB land and resources is an issue that deserves community debate. Consider -MPRB developed a new 2 story riverfront bldg for office and retail space with cost overuns. Decided to move Pk Bd police into retail space (from space already paid for) so the retail revenue is gone. -MPRB decided to bond for $6 million to upgrade rented fields at Ft. Snelling. Project cost grew to $14 million, all bonded. Project objectives were to provide quality fields to kids playing soccer, baseball, and softball and to teach the history of the place. No evaluation on these goals after 2 years. Also, to make money by renting fields to other teams. Debt service $1 million/year; operating loss $75,000 in 2003. -MPRB decided to enter into partnership to build Xtreme sports facility at Ft. Snelling. Partner broke - MPRB has $2.5 million liability in unpaid construction bills. -MPRB decided to create waterpark at NE pool - a section of city which has NO lakes. Annual pool pass for family of 4 went from $30 in 2001 to $180 in 2004. -MPRB gave lease options on Micollet Island Park Pavillion for 20 years - land paid for w/o bonds in the 70s. Pavillion no longer availabe for cheap wedding, large, union, etc. parties ($500 rental). Why the change? Increasing revenue by catering to convention trade. Should the MPRB lands be used specifically for convention trade? MPRB currently considering: -Whitewater park at St. Anthony Falls -Miniature golf at NE Park (passed for 2005). No market research or business plan. -Restaurant near the new Guthrie. -Sailing club at Lake Calhoun, in partnership, using bonds to be repaid by future retail; no market research, no business plan. -Athletic complexes like the Ft. Snelling Neiman Center at Bryn Mar and NE Park, presumably financed by rental fees. -Failed marina proposal for upper Mississippi sits on back burner. But the MPRB is so broke that we've had to cut staff, lifeguard hours, and warming house hours! Let's debate this - is the MPRB a developer? How much parkland should be used for development? What will it cost the park and rec system. If yes, how do we attract excellent business manages to the MPRB board and staff? Shawne FitzGerald Powderhorn 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
