Not only are taxpayers subsidizing the landscaping and spray park along the river for a privately developed hotel the developers got a TIF to boot. And who approved this project before it went on to the city council? The parks board of course in which the wife and co-owner of the development company building the hotel belongs as a board member.
But hey, there is no conflicts of interest here, move along, nothing to see.
The hotel would’ve gone in without the Greenway improvements going now, it just would’ve been moronic and more costly to do them under the original timetable 2 years after the place opens. Why tear up 2 year old concrete and/or build temporary shelters when you can do it all at the same time?
As for the alleged conflict, I don’t think you can argue that this move was done to improve Lloyd/Hegg’s cash flow or the value of Schoeneman’s property. The City embarked on the Greeway project precisely to attract this type of development.
So what you are saying is that taxpayers have to pony up to make this site more ‘attractive’ to developers? Boloney. The developers could have paid for all of those upgrades, and they know it. That hotel will do very well and it certainly didn’t need any incentives from the city to be there. IMO, that is a prime piece of property.
DL, I like how every time you say IMO, you’re careful not to say “IMHO.” I hate fake deference, and commend you for not doing it.
Outrageous.
Corporate Welfare………..
Watch this interview with Lloyd today;
http://www.argusleader.com/article/99999999/MULTIMEDIA/100802034&Ref=AR&template=livestream
After Beck practically got on his hands and knees praising Craig, I got a few questions in;
Comment From SF TaxpayerÂÂ
Craig – Besides the several TIF’s your development company has received and the taxpayer funded river greenway project surrounding your private Hilton hotel development, what other taxpayer funded incentives have you received? And why can’t you do these developments w/o these taxpayer funded incentives?
9:23
Comment From SF TaxpayerÂÂ
Craig – I agree with the environmental cleanup, but don’t we live in a Capitalistic society? You own a free enterprise. Why should the taxpayer’s assist your free enterprise? Last I checked this was a Democracy where businesses, like yours, can do what they want without corporate welfare from the city and the taxpayers.