Toledo City Council Meeting 12/11 – purchase of Southwyck agreed to
Tonight’s Toledo City Council meeting is the last meeting of the year so the Council members who are not returning in January were recognized, Rob Ludeman, Joe Birmingham and Ellen Gracheck were all recognized and Larry Sykes was also recognized for his service on the Toledo Public School Board. All of those who spoke had complimentary things to say about each one individual recognized. Mike Craig was absent. Evidently there was some type of a meeting/letter earlier today with more information on the Southwyck issue that was revealed before the vote was taken. Michael Ashford was the only one who voted no for the funding for Southwyck and taking on the responsibility of the asbestos removal, which means the ordinance passed.
The vote to place the income tax renewal on the March 4th ballot was also voted on by Council, all members presented voted yes. The ordinance presented by Rob Ludeman on the Convenience Store requirements, it was stated by Councilman Joe McNamara that some amendments and some “tweaks” were made on the legislation that was felt would eliminate some of the concerns there were related to crime enforcement. Birmingham and Schultz voted no, everyone else voted yes, so the ordinance passed.
Since City Council started late, and then went past 6:00 p.m., evidently the DVR system through Buckeye stops when it believes the program is over, which means I missed the full discussion on the Marketing/Research study. When I noticed it stopped recording, I started recording again but missed most of the presentation by Dave Moebius and the questions asked of him. In reading between the lines with what I missed recording, it appears there was a proposal from the Urban Affairs Center of the University of Toledo to do the survey instead of ETC Institute. The general consensus of those who spoke, George Sarantou, Frank Szollosi and Joe Birmingham was in support of ETC since the time frame would be faster in providing the data. Joe McNamara asked for clarification on if the authorization for the contract with ETC was approved and the Administration could get the same/similar information from the Urban Affairs Center would the City then be able to just not enter into the contract with ETC. It was confirmed that could happen. Michael Ashford was the only one who voted no, the ordinance passed.
I am so happy to say goodbye to Larry Sykes. Very happy – while the candidates that I was hoping for are not the two new school board candidates – they’d have to work very hard to do as much damage as Larry has done both to our district and our credibility with his juvenile and insulting conduct.
The future has to be better simply by default.
December 11th, 2007 at 8:07 pmLooks like Mike knows what he is talking about after all.
December 11th, 2007 at 8:11 pm“A letter from Mr. Dillin also states: “The city will employ best efforts to aid Dillin in preparation of a $17 million plan to fund site acquisition, demolition, additional environmental remediation, and site development.”
The letter said best efforts could include passing a tax increment financing legislation.
“We are on the hook for $7.8 million, and he wants the city to help him with a $17 million plan. We can’t afford that,” Mr. Ashford said. “He wants a commitment for 2008 and 2009 [capital improvements for the $4 million], which we don’t even know yet.”
He also questioned why the city of Toledo is the “middleman” buying private property, doing asbestos cleanup, and then selling it to a private developer.”
http://toledoblade.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071212/NEWS16/712120446/-1/NEWS
The Southwyck area needs to be improved but with the mortgage market troubles and also car loans falling into default will be able to afford the plan?
December 12th, 2007 at 6:21 amChalk this up as yet another ESM/MLK/Marina….
Why are the Citizens now responsible to clean up a private property in the millions?
December 12th, 2007 at 6:53 am“Chalk this up as yet another ESM/MLK/Marina….”
Well, maybe, maybe not.
ESM is special case what with the funding sources and all.
“The $320 million development will have 1,100 residential units with 635,000 square feet of mixed-use retail, dedicated retail, restaurants, and office space. The new residents will support the restaurant and service retail outlets, which will in turn provide residents a work place environment within walking distance of their homes.”
Great idea and great plan and it is coming along.
The Southwyck area is prime for redevelopment and is attractively located near the Turnpike.
What I see as concerning is the amount of information handed out to Council and when.
The way the report was worded in The Blade, the onus is on the city to get the mall cleaned up and then Dillon will move on the property.
There is speculation as to the amount of actual cleanup and speculation on the cost.
The Steam Plant plan fell apart as the condition of the plant was not found to be as good as once thought and the deal is up in the air now.
Could we be looking at the same problem here?
A environmental inspection could have been performed while all the discussion was taking place.
We may find more than we bargained for.
Montgomery Ward had an auto repair operation if I remember correctly and who knows what contamination there might be there.
We want development but we could check things out a bit more before making decisions that may end up costing us more in the long run.
December 12th, 2007 at 7:19 amYeah…I had plenty to say on this subject. I posted my thought here
December 12th, 2007 at 8:13 amhttp://wannabemayor.blogspot.com/2007/12/southwyck-expensive-trash.html
flatten southwyck! what a waste of time and money
December 12th, 2007 at 8:29 amThe tax payers will get screwed, again. While I really want improvment in the Southwyck area, I don’t think the city should be buying the property and fixing it up.
December 12th, 2007 at 12:52 pm