3/28/09
SFB approached the City Council, last Wednesday, requesting about $24,000 to help in the paving of a joint use parking lot. The issue is complicated because the lot is owned by Saint Francis Borgia, but is jointly used by the public. The parking lot is strategically located in the western portion of down town Washington and lends itself to use for those shopping at our new Farmers Market area.
During the last operations administration meeting (last Wednesday), Councilmen Rhodes, Overschmidt, Langendoerfer and my self, voted not to proceed with subsidizing this project. Rhodes had concerns that this request should have been made with the original request, some months back. All of us had issues with the tax dollars that would be spent in a time when fiscal concerns are a principal concern.
Dill wanted the full funding of the project (along with the Mayor, a long term SFB member). Mohesky and Witt suggested a 50/50 cost sharing arrangement.
I am currently doing more research into this last suggestion. Citizens do have a vested interest in projects that benefit the entire community as a whole. Additionally, SFB is making a substantial investment in this property that will benefit the city.
Will the project go forward without our tax dollars? More likely than not, it will. Have I heard concerns from people that do not attend SFB, wondering if we are “crossing the line?” Yes, I have. But the critical point is who will benefit most from this project and is it a judicious use of the tax payer dollar. I will make up my mind at the April 6th, City Council Meeting.
Please let me know how you feel on the subject. Join me on twitter to get updates to this blog.
Guy Midkiff
If the City of Washington tried to purchase land and put in a new parking lot for the downtown, the city would pay much more than $24,000. If done properly and the project is part of the comprehensive plan for the city, private-public partnerships benefit everybody and save taxpayer money.
I think SFB should not have extended this charity offer to the city. In other words, who would want to tie their property up for a longer term lease for $23,000? Perhaps they may want to use that property for other purposes in 6 years. Besides, the city most likely gets more benefit from the parking lot than does the parish. (long term parishioner)
Thanks Mike.
No doubt, this was a tough one.