Post in Shhh!... Legislature's $371 Subsidy Undermines Central Cities
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Shhh!... Legislature's $371 Subsidy Undermines Central Cities From: Neala Schleuning Date: May 05 22:48 UTC Short link
Let's get back to basics. TIF funds were never intended to build parking ramps. http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/issinfo/tifdist.htm Check out the "but for" test: http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/issinfo/butfortif.htm
-----Original Message----- From: Bob McLean [mailto:<email obscured>] Sent: Monday, May 05, 2008 5:12 PM To: St. Paul Issues Forum Subject: Re: [SPIF] Shhh!... Legislature's $371 Subsidy Undermines Central Cities What are public subsidies of building projects suppose to achieve? I was led to believe, for example, that TIF funds were meant to create a level playing field for developers. It is clearly more expensive to construct on an urban infill site, than it is to build on raw land. If anyone doubts this, walk/drive down to the Farmer's Market in Lowertown and take a look - it is very scary. If we are going to curb the terrible sprawl in this metro area and protect and rebuild our inner cities, the subsidies must be appropriately targeted. TIF for the West/jail site? As long as it is done out in the open, you bet. However, the property to be developed at the MOA site is about as close to raw land as I can be found within the Cities and their first rung suburbs. Can anyone explain to me why it will cost more to build the MOA addition on that land, than it would on raw land in Chanhassen, or Woodbury? This seems more like tribute than a subsidy. I will be the first to admit, that the scope of my interests are very narrow. I am concerned about Downtown Saint Paul and how I can live there comfortably. Now I have seen a lot of discussion about malls in Roseville and Eden Prairie, etc., that are surviving and/or thriving, or not, due to the MOA. However, if you want to consider a real retail miracle, go where I do most of my shopping now - take a drive down Robert Street in West Saint Paul. Since the MOA opened, West Saint Paul has added several big box stores, in particular, a Lowes, Wall Mart and Home Depot. Need a car? Head on out! Two new dealers have opened since the first of the year. The Robert Street Menards and Target have been super sized, etc., etc.. With the big boxes have come a number of smaller specialty stores. I have not read anything about these developments being subsidized, but I must admit that I have not researched the issue. In any event, in decending order this is where I spend my money shopping, West Saint Paul, MOA, other Saint Paul, Downtown Saint Paul. Anyway, paying tribute to the MOA developers is just wrong. However, laying blame on the MOA for the fact that Downtown is now a retail waste land is just as foolish, e.g., how did the MOA retail cause a 20% vacancy rate in office space Downtown? Between the MOA and a 20% vacancy rate, which do you think has the greater effect on Downtown's retail? G. Robert McLean Downtown, Saint Paul Info about Bob McLean: http://forums.e-democracy.org/contacts/grmpllc This topic's messages may be viewed at: http://forums.e-democracy.org/r/topic/5pVVQybdeFC4Gf7Zwdo5I5 ----------------------------------------- To post, send your message to: <email obscured> To leave or for daily digest, type "unsubscribe" or "digest on," in subject line and send to: <email obscured> More info about St. Paul Issues Forum: http://forums.e-democracy.org/groups/stpaul-issues E-Democracy.Org rules: http://e-democracy.org/rules ----------------------------------------- Technical assistance thanks to our friends at http://OnlineGroups.Net Citizens Guide to St. Paul http://e-democracy.org/wiki/Citizens_Guide_to_St._Paul Questions about rules violations? Send complaints and items for investigation to: <email obscured>