Well, it looks like the Plan Commission is okay with a Shopko TIF and they don't want Near East Neighborhood citizens to have the ability to appeal to the Common Council on a building plan denial. Tonight there will be a forum at the Senior Center on riverfront development. I'm seeking citizen input on three items:
1. Do you support the idea of a TIF for Shopko?
2. Do you believe Near East neighborhood citizens should have the right to appeal to the Common Council in the event of a building plan denial at the Plan Commission?
3. Should the Common Council accept the Dumke proposal for the waterfront?
You can post opinions here, email me at tpalmeri@ci.oshkosh.wi.us or tony@tonypalmeri.com or call me at 920-235-1116. Note: Anonymous, hostile comments really are not helpful to anyone.
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8 comments:
Dear Tony,
I presume you remember my feelings on this - some decisions need to be made by experts with knowledge of the circumstances, facts, and a long-term view, not by politicians (one need only look at the state of US policy on global warming). The Council is ultimately responsible for the Planning Commission as it is (through the appointments) and therein lies the oversight. Pick the best experts you can, and trust them to make the right choice (even if it is unpopular - as is the case with the ADVOCAP house).
The logical extension of your position is that citizens should then have the right, by ordinance, to appeal in front of the council any decision made by any city employee. I'm not sure that's where you want to be.
Tony:
I think that it is a great idea to ask for opinions. As such, here goes:
The TIF? Yes. It is evident that the development meets the definition of a TIF. There are some in the community who think this store may imperil the Westside store. I hardly think so. The new development would key in to potential shoppers from outlying Oshkosh along the Hwy 76 and Hwy 45 corridor (Winneconne, etc) who tire of fighting the congestion of 9th and currently travel to Neenah. Look at Appleton. Retail hubs on the West, North and East side.
Any action by the Plan Commission should be appealable to the Common Council. No ifs, ands or buts.
The Waterfront proposal. The developers (Dumke/Goudreau Family and Randy Schmeidel) are nice folks. Great folks really, local guys doing well. However, look at them and the development objectively. On average, these guys are still a little green having been in commercial projects for only about 5 years. Look at the big names in real estate development locally and regionally who have decades of personal, and family experience, in big projects. Many no “thank yous” and many “not interested” for this piece of dirt.
We are obviously heading into a giant economic downturn here. Speculative real estate ventures at this time are not just, not prudent but they are downright stupid. Don’t put these guys in a position to fail right now ala the 100 Block, the Hotel/Convention Center. Grade over the dirt and plant some trees on the site. Reserve the right to revisit development at a future time. This is not the right time for this property and these are not the right developers, no matter how well intentioned they might be. They’ve got a lot on their plate right now. Let them finish what they’ve got.
Good luck with this, though I will not be giving comment because not in Oshkosh. I'll be interested to see the results.
Yes, to the TIF for Shopko It appears the project is set to go and 2 million to produce 80 to 100 new jobs. This Key development on the north-side has the potential to be a successful TIF similar to the 4Imprint TIF.
My understanding is the council has the final word. We elect councilors to represent citizens.
Boards and Commission members are appointed volunteer, and serve as advisory tools for the council.
The Waterfront project needs to move forward and if a local developer has the plans to move so be it.
I think Chamber members have a great influence in what they want to see downtown. Until they get their new office building nothing will happen. Dumkes will build them the new office building and watch balance of the plan fall into place and prospers.
The only reason the Akcess plan failed is because the Chamber backed out of the office deal.
Like it or not "Chamber politics"
will determine downtown success or failure.
1. On the TIF for Shopko- need to find out does Shopko plan to keep open both stores or just one. If the are closing the westside store to open a new northside store I say no the project.This not a blighted area and do not think it meats the test of would be done if TIF was not created.
I disagree with the Planning Commisiion-I say what right does the city have telling a property owner to do with their property. As long it safe amd livable that all the should be meet. Other cities do not have these high standards.
I beleive you canregulate and zone a property but cannot tell the property owner what size windows or kind materails to use.
Look forward to hearing on this matter -you know how to reach me
Tony,
You know, I think I am coming around to your position. Indeed, I seem to recall a lot of unhappiness during the 2005 city-wide reassessment over decisions made by the Board of Review. If you truly feel the council should have the last say in decisions like this (especially assessment, which affects many more citizens than just the near-east), we should all be able to appeal our assessments before the council (should they be rejected by the Board).
I'd like to hear your thoughts on this possibility.
Does state law define an assessor's role as advisory, like it does Plan Commissions? I don't know. If the assessor is advisory, then of course there should be an ability to appeal to elected officials. Need some time to research the issue (probably not in the immediate future because--as you may have noticed--we've got some pretty big issues coming before us this month!).
1. No, I do not support the idea of a TIF for a Shopko because it unfairly pits one retail district against another and one business against all others. The hwy 41 corridor is losing business and is in serious need of a shot in the arm. I would be more in favor of creating a hwy 41 TIF district that focuses on new business and beautification improvements. Generally speaking, I think that TIF's should be focused to help blighted areas like the downtown and it's riverfront.
2. Near East neighborhood residents should absolutely have the right to appeal the plan commission’s decisions. The PC often sees things through rose-colored glasses and they have no accountability to the citizens of Oshkosh. Susan Kemplinger has, on more than one occasion, been known to abuse the power of her office and she seems to really take pride in that fact. She needs to be held accountable, but that is another topic entirely.
3. Yes, we should accept the Dumke proposal because they are local boys that care about the community they were raised in and they have an outstanding track record of caring enough to take the extra step it takes to put together a quality project. Nobody else is stepping up to the plate because this is a not-so-wonderful time to be in the development business. Ackess has put together enough prospective tenants for 50% of a 26,000sf office building. Then, I think it's kind of a no-brainer to build a 13,000sf office building, isn't it? They have experience with office buildings and retail development and they are not too proud step aside and let somebody with more residential and hotel experience to help them with the remaining pieces. I wonder if the Dumke team can persuade the Supple's to come back with the hotel proposal?
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