Thank you for your thought Dylan. Your observations are spot on. I wish I could be at the meeting tonight but I have a prior commitment. I've shared my thoughts with Carissa Dutton, my council person, who is in favor of proceeding forward I've also shared them with Scott LeMay. I'm note sure where he stands. I won't repeat my objections as they mirror yours. I'm a 6th generation Texan - actually 6th generation Garlandite if Garland had been around that long. My father was on the council in th 60's and both grandfathers were mayors with long terms. One the Ray Olinger electric plant is named after. I say this because I believe I have as much standing as the Jones family. They've allowed the property on the square to be vacant for about 4 decades and I know they have recently turned down fair offers for it because they believe they have the City over a barrel. I don't know why fire, structural and environmental enforcement have not been initiated all this time. I dont know why creative ordicances similar to the auto restrictions on mainstreet have not been considered. I know the City is desperate to tie a ribbon around the square and be done with it but they are acting like a child. The square is about the be done. All the property around the square but the Jones property is leased. Be patient. Start enforcement. Turn the tables. Partner with a 3rd party for development. The City doesn't need another event center downtown in addition to the Plaza and the Atrium. The City doesn't need to spend the money AND forego the tax revenue. This deal reeks of desperation and we are NOT desperate. Cover up the facade. Park food trucks in front. Build a temporary outdoor space. Make everything but the building work for us. Let the Jones' pay taxes and fines and be done with them.
Thanks for trying Dylan and for voting no. What a boondoggle! I hope we find a way to reneg on the terms and sell to a private investor. LeMay said something about trusting our vision - who’s vision? I feel raped.
Thank you for your thought Dylan. Your observations are spot on. I wish I could be at the meeting tonight but I have a prior commitment. I've shared my thoughts with Carissa Dutton, my council person, who is in favor of proceeding forward I've also shared them with Scott LeMay. I'm note sure where he stands. I won't repeat my objections as they mirror yours. I'm a 6th generation Texan - actually 6th generation Garlandite if Garland had been around that long. My father was on the council in th 60's and both grandfathers were mayors with long terms. One the Ray Olinger electric plant is named after. I say this because I believe I have as much standing as the Jones family. They've allowed the property on the square to be vacant for about 4 decades and I know they have recently turned down fair offers for it because they believe they have the City over a barrel. I don't know why fire, structural and environmental enforcement have not been initiated all this time. I dont know why creative ordicances similar to the auto restrictions on mainstreet have not been considered. I know the City is desperate to tie a ribbon around the square and be done with it but they are acting like a child. The square is about the be done. All the property around the square but the Jones property is leased. Be patient. Start enforcement. Turn the tables. Partner with a 3rd party for development. The City doesn't need another event center downtown in addition to the Plaza and the Atrium. The City doesn't need to spend the money AND forego the tax revenue. This deal reeks of desperation and we are NOT desperate. Cover up the facade. Park food trucks in front. Build a temporary outdoor space. Make everything but the building work for us. Let the Jones' pay taxes and fines and be done with them.
Thank you for your service.
Jeff Range
By the way, you have permission to share any and all of this tonight at the meeting.
Nearly $2 million spent for that property? You are right in calling that a bad deal.
Thanks for trying Dylan and for voting no. What a boondoggle! I hope we find a way to reneg on the terms and sell to a private investor. LeMay said something about trusting our vision - who’s vision? I feel raped.