Good morning, and HAPPY GRAVITY HEAD.
There's really only one important New Agony story from the past week. Rumors from previous weeks were confirmed, and it was revealed that the Colonial Manor shopping center on Charlestown Road was sold to new owners, and also that a plan had been minted by these new owners for its revival ... without any involvement whatever from City Hall.
Hmm, how could it be? Doesn't the mayor write all our business plans?
Of course, this didn't stop Gahan's goons from claiming credit, or the Redevelopment Star Chamber from tithing a cool million for infrastructure improvements. They're nakedly shameless, and largely unable to tell truth unvarnished by sheer spin.
But in reality, as opposed the Gahan dreamworld, this is a far better outcome than the one proffered as an election year gambit by the mayor-for-life and his sycophants in 2019. Let's let councilman Al Knable explain. His take is more diplomatic than it needs to be, but otherwise lands right on the money.
Al Knable NA City Council at Large
February 25
I’m happy to see a truly private-public partnership afoot to move this important area of New Albany forward.
I applaud the efforts of the citizens in the surrounding neighborhood, the Economic Redevelopment team-including the Mayor- and the Hoagland Group for bringing us to this auspicious point.
The city’s pledge of $1,000,000 for infrastructure improvement is wholly appropriate and has my full support.
The arrangement announced today is clearly superior to the 2019 proposal, rejected by a majority of the City Council, which would have required a purchase price of approximately $2,600,000 (significantly above assessed value) in taxpayer money and cast our city’s government in the awkward role of commercial property manager.
A savings of $1,600,000 and major private investment in our community validates the Council’s 2019 decision and the patience of all involved.
I join everyone in welcoming today’s encouraging news and the promise of better days ahead for Colonial Manor.
City Hall's spellbindingly self-serving propaganda can be found here: City Partners with Investor to Revitalize Charlestown Road Corridor.
John Boyle's coverage at the News&Bune features testimony from 5th district councilman Josh Turner.
Colonial Manor to receive significant facelift with multimillion-dollar investment
NEW ALBANY — A point of emphasis for New Albany City Council member Josh Turner has been his push to “revive District 5.”
It’s his hope that the district he serves can soon witness a transformation, at which point that motto will become “come thrive in District 5” ...
... Turner said he’s happy to see this type of project come to the area, noting the grassroots effort from residents it took to get this outcome. Some early plans from the city’s previous attempts to purchase the property included residential developments, which Turner did not see as a good fit.
“If the current administration had its way there would have been housing here, and I’m really glad a private investor stepped up and is bringing some much needed amenities and services to the area,” he said. “This is a big win for the district.”
Last April the city council rejected the redevelopment commission’s plan to purchase the property for $2.6 million.
Though the city is not the main driver of the project, it is still partnering with the developer in the form of a $1 million investment.
In other developments, it appears that Team Gahan's appalling public housing policies have resulted in taxpayers absorbing a big bill for the mayor's avarice.
GREEN MOUSE SAYS: Has Bob Lane settled his lawsuit against NAHA for wrongful termination?
An analysis of the local chain newspaper's "opinion" page reveals something that should surprise no living human.
ON THE AVENUES: There is a complete absence of diversity among regular News and Tribune columnists.
Prohibitionism must be guarded against.
BEER WITH A SOCIALIST: Paternalism, classism and prohibitionism in Family Dollar's neighborhood.
And, with Harvey Weinstein down for the count ...
New Albany too? How will #MeToo play out here at the grassroots?
In closing, a reminder: Why wait for Lent to give up organized religion?
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