Coffey to Redevelopment Commission: I'm clueless, and you should be, too

Consultant to help with Scribner Place; City seeks advice on development, by Ben Zion Hershberg of the Courier-Journal (limited shelf life on C-J links).

Here are excerpts from Hershberg’s article:

The New Albany Redevelopment Commission has chosen Browning Investments Inc. of Indianapolis to advise the city on attracting private development in the second phase of the Scribner Place project downtown.

Jack Messer, a member of both the city council and redevelopment commission, said he is pleased the commission is proceeding with the planning of the project's second phase.

He said he hopes plans for the private construction are ready by the time the YMCA and swimming complex are completed in 2007 …

(Messer) said Scribner Place, including the private development he expects it to attract, should have a major impact on downtown New Albany.

… Dan Coffey, who also is a member of the City Council and redevelopment commission, said he doubts Scribner Place will attract the kinds of private development Messer, Garner and some others expect.

He said he doesn't think the market exists in downtown New Albany for such private development at this time.

For the record, Dan Coffey represents the 1st council district, which arguably stands to benefit the most from both Scribner Place and any future redevelopment in the project's immediate vicinity.

Meanwhile, the market that currently exists for "such private development" extends well into the 3rd District, represented by Steve Price, who also is opposed to the Scribner Place project.

Naturally, the potential market ranges far beyond the blade-thin perspectives of Coffey and Price, who seem to be echoing the traditional New Albany refrain of "we can't."

Hershberg's last sentence would have been far more accurate had it read like this: “Coffey said he doesn’t think the vision exists in his own mind for such private development at this time.”

Not now ... not ever.