(Image, KSFY)
While Director of Parking and TIF’s, Darrin Smithe was being interviewed by KSFY about the Banks Project, he conducted the interview in fronte of the tennis centere. I was surprised there were vehicles parked in their parking lot and people actually using the facility. I wonder if Darrin broke his rackete again after another failed matche against his boss?
Not sure, but this press conference has me curious;
Come to the news conference to learn more about the Washington Square project and how City officials are proposing to support the project.
As I have said in the past, I was opposed to the massive TIF requested for this project, but I wouldn’t be opposed to something scaled back, like a low interest community development loan, financial assistance with cleaning up the alley and upgrading infrastructure in that part of Downtown, even some kind of lease agreement with the city on parking. But a large TIF for condos doesn’t float my boat.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEFiECjQCR4#t=4457[/youtube]
(starts at 20:30)
Funny how the commission gets to see this presentation before the council – or at least I can’t recall the council getting the presentation yet?
Darrin explains TIFs before the new TIF presentation. While he is correct that TIFs don’t cost taxpayers up front (even though we are footing the bill to administer them) we are losing property tax revenue for several years. Basically the developers are paying themselves property taxes and using the money to pay for the development.
Last week I posted about how our current mayor could pull off running a 3rd term. He had two options on the table, he could somehow convince the Charter Revision Commission (which currently has NO members) to introduce it on the ballot, then convince the voters to approve it, OR he could have a fill-in for 4 years then run again after that.
Well the second part sparked quite a few speculators as to who could be that fill-in, or at least, who was asked.
The possible prospects who are serious about running for mayor could be anyone of these folks;
Rick Knobe, Michelle Erpenbach, Dean Karsky, Darrin Smith and possibly even Greg Jamison.
But one name kept popping up last week like the popping sound of a loud piped Harley, Jim Entenman.
I find it odd that Jim would even consider it, first off, the mayor just can’t leave for a month to Mexico in the middle of the winter, well of course GW Bush was always on vacation while president, so maybe he can. Jim also didn’t run for a second term as councilor wanting to get back to transitioning his family business. He’s a busy man, running a mega-motorcycle empire in Sioux Falls is a tough job.
Do I think Jim was asked to run? Sure. Do I think he will run? Not a chance.
Of course, with the help of more tax subsidies;
City officials announced that Fairway Suites will develop a hotel on the southeast side of Elmwood Golf Course.
The City and Fairway Suites will begin negotiations on a lease agreement for the proposed site. A final agreement would then need to be approved before a project could proceed.
“We are very pleased to be working with the City of Sioux Falls to develop a hotel on the Elmwood site,” says Brian Burton, Chief Operating Officer for Fairway Suites, LLC. “With the opening of the new Denny Sanford PREMIER Center and efforts focused on the redevelopment of the surrounding area, we feel that the long-term outlook for the location is very promising.”
While I am not opposed to leasing the land to the hotel, the city in no way shape or form be involved with subsidizing or building this facility. The city should not be in the business of providing lodging. We have already given away millions (TIFs & River Greenway bulk head) to the DT Hilton. This a prime example of why hand-out Mike and his team (Smith) need to go.