l3wis The Secret of the $300 million dollar School Bond revealed
Many asked why the Sioux Falls School District needed a $50 million dollar ‘slush fund’ in the bond. I knew why, and it seems some of that is being revealed;
The district’s school board approved a contract Wednesday with Koch Hazard Architects to expand and renovate Memorial Middle School’s music area.
Yes, this is the same firm that went millions over budget on the Pavilion, screwed up the balcony and was in the middle of the siding settlement fiasco at the Denty. Rumor has it that they have gone millions over budget on their own projects also.
Why do we continue to throw public money at a firm who consistently squanders our money?
I guess this explains the ‘slush fund’. The SFSD district had to prepare themselves for the cost overruns. They could save taxpayers even more if they would just hire a firm that is qualified and has some fiscal restraint.
Speaking of the extreme ignorance of our educational wing of SF government, they finally put stricter rules on open enrollment. Something that should have been done 10 years ago and definitely before the bond vote. The boundaries should have also been redrawn.
But hey, when you have a $50 million dollar slush fund, it doesn’t matter if you make bad decisions, borrowed tax payer money can fix anything.
Last time on Lalley
Celebrating Pat’s gig on the radio. It was great seeing old friends tonight going back to those delicate times of Tempest. BTW, the service at JJ’s was fantastic!
I will be on Pat’s show for the last time at 4:30 today. KSOO AM 1000. Hopefully I can keep it clean. LOL.
UPDATE: Was the Denty’s GM, Torkildson let go?
UPDATE: It seems Jorgi at Stormy is a bit baffled by Terry’s disappearance;
The man in charge of the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center is no longer there. It’s a story that has a lot of people scratching their heads. It has a lot of people asking what happened to Terry Torkildson.
As I reported on Friday, it sounds like a lot of internal corporate crap. I do know that Torkildson is in shock. I also heard that it had to do with the lack of brown nosing skills Terry had compared to Chris Semrau. Let’s just say one of them was a lot better at smoozing then the other one. I guess that is why one of them was promoted and the other one was let go. Hopefully we will hear more in the coming week.
I’m hearing from several sources that the GM of the Denty was terminated. Not sure if that happened today? I also no few details as to why or if it really happened.
As you know, Torkildson has been with SMG for many years, and to be very clear, this would have been a decision by their corporate offices and NOT City Hall (I would assume).
It comes as a surprise really, because I felt Terry was doing a good job. He fought like a good soldier to get the Denty, and for attendance records it was doing well (even though SMG hasn’t paid a penny of the mortgage). He also was always up front with me and even pulled me aside a few times at council meetings to set me straight on details I blogged about, which I appreciate.
As you know, Terry was the one that told then councilor Rex Rolfing in a recorded council coffee meeting that the dented up siding on the Denty made it “Look interesting.” That still cracks me up.
With most things corporate America, I’m sure it has to do with internal garbage, and one has to wonder about this taking place so shortly after Chris Semrau left Sioux Falls to take on another position elsewhere with SMG? I have been told some reasons why it may have happened, but at this point I’m not going to speculate.
More reasons why we don’t need TIFs
There was a couple of stories today that show when developers in the Sioux Falls area want something, they suddenly have the money to pony up.
First the 85th exchange;
The project got through the IJR at the speed it did because the area landowners upfronted the money to pay privately for the report to be compiled.
They are committed to investing $4 million to get the project through federal approvals and initial design.
“You have a consolidated group of motivated businesspeople who own a massive piece of ground that’s going to open for commercial development,†said Jake Quasney, vice president of real estate and investments at Lloyd Cos.
Isn’t it funny, when there are millions to be made, the developers have all kinds of upfront cash to get what they want done and pushed through.
Just look at Journey’s $1 million land ‘Donation’ to the SFSD;
The district’s school board made the decision Wednesday for about $4.3 million and accept a $1 million donation from the company, bringing the total cost closer to $3.3 million.
Was this a ‘donation’ or just incentive to secure building a $90 million dollar High School (and possibly other facilities?).
With record building permits again this year, and all this CAPITAL the developers have to help secure future projects, one has to wonder if TIFs are even needed anymore in Sioux Falls?
Short answer; NO.