All Saints Neighborhood crying about nothing

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Touchmark has been trying unsuccessfully for years to expand on the corner of 18th and Phillips. The neighbors claim that it would ‘ruin the neighborhood’ and historical aspects.

First off, without the most obvious argument, Touchmark owns the land. Yeah, Yeah, I heard the same with the Walmart issue, except, Walmart DID not own the land, they only had an agreement to purchase, not even sure if they have bought it to this day.

Also, it seems besides a few nit-picking neighbors, the historical preservation board seems to be the only ones objecting, and they truly are powerless and advisory in nature. The Planning Commission and City Council CAN ignore their advice, and should.

Other then that, I actually think a building on that corner would be an improvement. I drive past that intersection a lot, and I have yet to see anyone utilizing the land for recreation that live at Touchmark. In fact, I have never even seen a groundskeeper in the grove of trees.

Touchmark owns the property, and the expansion would improve the lives of their residents. Stop crying about a couple of trees and let them expand.

Interesting TIF discussion

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At the Land Use Committee meeting yesterday (FF to Item C) there was a lot dancing going on, but it wasn’t like Irish Riverdance, more like something from Cinco De Mayo.

While directors from the community development office were doing one dance, councilors Jamison and Erickson were trying to figure out the beat while Anderson went into full defense mode of the city blaming developers for the reason TIFs have NOT been awarded in 27 months.

While confusing at times, it is clear that the power structure of developers is shifting. I guess what I am saying is that the former developers who used to be able to get about anything from city hall are finding out they are being turned away.

Why? Not sure, but remember a salesman only makes decisions based on who will pad their wallet the most.

New Development, 85th & I-29

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There seems to be a lot of talk about what is going to be done at this intersection.

A South DaCola foot soldier tells me that 2016 is the year that the SD DOT plans for the overpass and this year they are planning to extend lanes that stop at 57th down to the Tea exit and they also will be building temporary items for when the bridge/overpass construction starts.

So the bigger question is, if the State and Feds are working on this project, why isn’t the city of Sioux Falls getting more involved?

TIF 19 gets approved by Planning Commission for ‘workforce’ housing

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You will have to watch the meeting yourself, but I got a good chuckle out of how they are claiming that ‘workforce’ housing is similar to affordable or low income housing. It’s NOT. It pretty much means they don’t have to charge low rents like affordable housing. They use a tax credit that makes them eligible to charge rents comparable to 60% of the median income. Make no mistake, this apartment building is just that, an apartment building, nothing special about it, and certainly not deserving of a TIF.

I also take issue with developers that live out of state getting property tax rebates. At least when Dunham or Lloyd get a TIF, they put the money back into our community.

I hope the City Council grows a sack and denies this TIF, it’s not a blighted area and it’s not affordable housing.

The Argus Leader ‘almost’ tells the whole story about TIF’s

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oz

So I got a tip this week that the Argus was working on a story about TIF’s and how King Huether may be manipulating the application process (or just shredding the applications all together).

Yawn. He manipulates many things, old news.

Apparently, some developers are mad he has been refusing to process their TIF applications.

There’s strong interest in the business community about TIFs, but some developers have been warned that they shouldn’t apply.

And who are these mystery ‘developers’? Not that I am defending the mayor or Darrin Smith, but if these folks are so upset about the process, why not give their name to the Argus and go on record. See, because I know some of the names, as do many councilors and journalists in our community. So please, fess up. Change doesn’t happen behind the wall of secrecy, it requires transparency.

Wait, one came forward;

Last year, Lloyd Cos. shelved its vision for redeveloping seven acres on the Communications Service for the Deaf campus in east Sioux Falls after being discouraged by the city from applying for tax increment financing.

Oh, boy, we must be in panic mode now since the welfare queen of TIF’s got denied. If Lloyd can’t get a TIF, nobody can. I wonder also in the 26 month period if development investor Mrs. Mike (Cindy) Heuther was denied any more TIF’s? Seems Mike likes sleeping on the couch.

Oh, but wait, the state likes to get in on the bitchfest also;

The result of this off-the-books policy means that projects are being turned away by Mayor Mike Huether’s administration without there being a formal application and paper trail. The projects in question include downtown developments as well as multimillion dollar manufacturing facilities that would bring hundreds of new jobs to the city.

Pat Costello, the commissioner of economic development for Gov. Dennis Daugaard, said there are manufacturing businesses that have considered building in Sioux Falls. Those projects are in limbo in part because the city won’t agree to TIFs.

“They have certainly showed their reluctance to do TIFs,” Costello said. “They’ve repeatedly been approached by a number of different entities for a number of different TIFs for a lot of reasons.”

And those companies are . . .? Oh, right, back to them getting skiddish like a pregnant ewe in the corner of the barn staring down a starving coyote if they share their names.

I wouldn’t doubt it was this company pissing off the mayor at a Minerva’s luncheon.

Like I said above, if you want the mayor to stop acting like a dictator you have to start using your rights of freedom of speech, and you gotta start using your name.