The CRA Workshop, that was initiated by some Board member concerns about about the appropriate focus of the CRA, turned into a discussion about redevelopment projects for Frenchtown. And some Board members were clearly caught off guard. County Commissioner Kristin Dozier said that “I thought it would be a different process. We did not agree to this process in advance.” City Commissioner Nancy Miller said she “was not given a heads up about the process.” In lieu of addressing the broad goals of the CRA, the workshop, designed by CRA staff, included a paid facilitator and a list of 37 priorities submitted by Board members before the meeting. The goal was for the Board members to narrow the list down to 5 priorities – it never happened. See list of priorities here. Instead, Board members made fun of the facilitator rules on debate and interaction with each other, and at times, simply ignored the rigid format designed to deliver results. Instead, the elected officials did what they do best, talk about their ideas, and that made for an interesting meeting. Commissioner Dozier said that “we need a better assessment of the annual impact of the CRA.” She said the CRA focus should be ” to create conditions that promote private sector development.” In contrast, City Commissioner and Mayoral candidate Andrew Gillum said “my approach is more expansive than the past CRA approach.” For Commissioner Gillum, the CRA should be involved in social services, transportation, education and the health of the community. County Commissioner Bill Proctor said that ” we should not invest in preserving what is going on in Frenchtown and call it culture – because it is not!” City Commissioner Scott Maddox, whose concern for the expansive role of the CRA prompted the workshop, made several interesting observations. Maddox said the “best role for the CRA is to look at infrastructure projects that would spur development. Projects that would not happen if not for CRA.” Maddox, one of the first to advocate for the relocation of the homeless shelter, stated he would support “relocating the Greyhound bus station closer to I-10.” City Commissioner Gil Ziffer reassured the Board that the homeless shelter is moving, but added we “need to send a signal to the Shelter board we are willing to help with their land.” Ziffer also made the comment that the “performing arts center project is in the wrong location – no economic development possibilities.” He was referring to the proposed downtown location for the performing arts center project. In the end, five hours and a paid facilitator was not enough to reach any consensus. Some Board members were visibly frustrated. Another meeting will be scheduled to try and more clearly define the CRA priorities.
CRA Workshop Turns into Frenchtown Redevelopment Discussion added by Staff on
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Two points:
Obviously the facillitator could not control so many strong willed authority figures. What is needed is a stronger willed Chairman that has undisputed authority to direct the discussion and keep it on track.
The committee should make the decisions on future development as if they are spending their money not mine.
CRAs should not exist. They are solely a way to spend taxpayers’ money to develop areas that then compete with unsubsidized, already existing development. ALL PUBLIC SERVANTS – DO ONLY WHAT YOU ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO and leave it to the private sector alone to develop or not, as the market directs. You should not subsidize one area with the tax dollars of another. That is the opposite of equal protection under the law.