From comments made by city commissioners in today's Traveler, it looks like the Big Box tax increment financing project will have a tough time moving forward tonight.
The key, it seems to me, is Scott Margolius. Mayor Smith has said that she basically is there to do the will of the people. My guess is that she'll hear more "no's" than 'yeas' and oppose it (Not the best way to be an elected representative in my opinion, but so be it)
So this leaves Margolius. One would think, considering his political background of working for Tiahrt, that he would be pro-business in this case and tilt in favor. He also helps manage a company, first intermark, that received a property tax abatement to improve the old Newman building. http://www.arkcity.net/stories/082501/stories/082501/com_0002.shtml.
But he remains undecided, and he seems to have made a partner in Mel Kuhn, who is adamently opposed. I guess I wouldn't be surprised if Margolius gives a yes vote tonight, at least so a feasibility study could be done and move the proposal to a final decision in a few weeks.
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2 comments:
HOW DO WE GET A COPY OF THIS REPORT???? HELP US AC TRAVELER
"For the person who said the Corridor Study stated we could not support a Lowe's or Home Depot... MAYBE that is why they needed the TIF to get started?"
Yes the TIF could have used to get the project started and completed. That is not the issue with the corridor study...it states that this community of 28,000 can not support a Lowes or Home Depot, this is due to the lack of population in which to draw from...intead it suggests that a store more in the size of Sutherlands be implemented. Still don't believe this? That is fine and I understand many people have hurt feelings, feelings of betrayal and feelings that the door has been closed in Ark City. There are many many studies on the negative after-effects of National Big Box retailers in small communities. I tried to stay open-minded and looked for the same studies that should be out there disputing them. I could not find any. I searched with Google, the Kansas Dept. of Commerce, asked economic professors at KU and KSU. Even went to my Alum OU to find some answers. There are no studies out the to say differently, if there were wouldn't Wal-Mart want them out to the public?
Col. Lind says the pottys are in disrepair at Woods and Bryant's. I still feel that if Zach Bryant puts in a new bathroom it is not going to affect his business base, but it will improve his marketability for future growth. Amazingly enough, Zach has found a renter for the collectable side of Bryant's. All he will say is that they will remodel, install ADA toilets and be a nice draw for downtown...who knows maybe they will. Question is, will any of those that wanted Lowe's hold a grudge for so long even this new renter will not make it, because they rent from Bryant's? Are all of you so mad that friendships will not be repaired? You have to at least understand that Zach is not to be blamed, yes he was against a TIF district, be he has been quoted that if Lowe's comes on it's own dime, then that would be fine. If your livelyhood was to be affected you would be against it too. Be honest with yourself and think like a new businessman, if you just bought a business and now it's very exsistance is in the sights to be destroyed what would you do? I happen to know many of you think it was Zach's poor decision for buying in to a crumpled up old building, and I have heard that, "he knew the condition of the bldg. before he bought..." I also know that Roger Brown of AC Industries gave Zach his "Personal Guarantee" that the Big Box Store issue was dead. One month after Bryant's was bought, here comes AC Industries out with the Big Box Proposition. Maybe it was coiencidence....
In any event, I respect each of your thoughts, hope we can heal the dispute...but moreover please do not hate the businessmen for trying to keep a level retail playing field. No, you do not have to shop in AC ever again, but at least be friendly when you see a businessman.
One more comparision:
Think of a Union Strike all of you GE workers....do you have the Guts to cross that picket line for something you believe in, or do you just call in sick that day, so you don't have to confront anyone? Well the businessmen did not have the option of calling in sick!!!
Why not go to Okla.,their gas is cheaper they have all the shopping that is not available in our one horse non progressive town. Ark City does seem to want even the wages paid that are great for college students and our high school students that could have worked and thrived at a store such as Lowes.Let alone the moneys brought in from people from our surrounding communities.I had an oppurinity several years ago to move to Ponca City, to look ahead and see what this town has to offer it's citizens it is undoubtedly one my worst mistakes. The property taxes,car tags,and quality of life make ashamed to be from this State.
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