Will Jeff and Pat, who know better, be on board for this next pivotal phase, or do they continue to pick tea-bagging nits in the Kochertian gloom? Let's hope that the sun begins to shine into the obscured conceptual niches of the political dark side, and tiny shoots of rationality start poking their way toward the light. If not, perhaps we can continue to rely on the council's only officially declared Republican to cast swing votes that matter.
I'll be joining the Trib's Daniel Suddeath this afternoon as part of a discussion on community media (I think) at Floyd Central High School. My job is to represent the blogging sphere, and his to chart the evolving dimensions of print media. Sounds like fun to me. Can I drive a pickup truck festooned with brewery logos onto school grounds?
Developer gets two years to purchase civic plaza property in New Albany, by Daniel Suddeath (Tribune)
The New Albany Redevelopment Commission approved a step Tuesday in a process to bring an estimated $30 million development downtown by 2013.
Referred to as the New Albany Civic Plaza Waterfront Development and part of Scribner Place phase two, the proposal would see the city fund a $12 million parking garage adjacent to the Floyd County branch of the YMCA of Southern Indiana.
On top of the garage, developer and attorney Jack Bobo would fund a three-tiered building with residential, retail and office space for lease and sale.
7 comments:
Key quote from article: “It really isn’t something that can be accomplished alone by a developer,” Bobo said.
Let's hope that our council doesn't stonewall the city and an interested, legitimate developer. The parking garage is a key piece of Phase 2, period.
I was pleased to see a 24 month window to work through what could be a very great addition to downtown.
While reading the article the first thought that came to mind is this Thursday's council reading for an attorney/grant writer.
I still believe that the 12 million dollar price tag can be worked out to include a grant from the DOT for a bus terminal.
With the success of the YMCA and the fact that costumers would benefit directly from the garage, the YMCA should reserve or pay for some of the spaces. It would be similar to the Y parking garage on 2nd St. in Louisville.
Many of the Y members are not from New Albany and do not pay taxes for anything that New Albany is providing. If the Y reserves spaces or commits funds it would help balance that.
The vote was 4-0 with Ms. Benedetti was present and not voting. She did not raise her hand, say yes or do anything one way or another that would give an indication as to how she felt, her eyes were fixed on the paper she was writing on. The following quote from Ms. Benedetti is her thinking at the moment: "If I do not understand it, how can I explain it to someone who would ask me about it?"
A key point bought out by questions from Redevelopment Commission Chairman, Irvin Joshua involves the propose Parking Garage. Mr. Jack Bobo outline the point on the Parking Garage. The parking structure to be constructed will have 300 up to 850 parking spaces which the City of New Albany will finance.Any additional spaces above 850 will be paid for by the developer who will own the Parking Garage, build the parking garage, maintain the parking structure and pay the bonds( ? method of financing not determined yet but that is what Mr. Bobo stated) from the parking proceeds. How much additional demand for condos and business retail space will determine the eventual capacity of the parking garage.
To quote the late Paul Harvey:" now you know the rest of the story."
Maury
Since you were there Maury, what is your opinion of this proposal?
Fight on Sycamores.
Thanks, Maury.
Mark
IAM,
I want to revise my remarks. I favor the proposal as presented. I did not want to speak about or for other projects for I will let other developers speak for them.
I like the proposal as presented. I want to know how the Civic Plaza proposal impacts the propose developments west of the YMCA. I hope Mr. Bobo talks to other developers and incorporates other proposals into his plan as he learns of them in the next 6-12 months.
I have asked for a copy of the proposal as presented to the Redevelopment Commission to I can learn of the details.
I hope the proposal moves forward.
Maury
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