I have a column in today's St. Louis American: "Holding McKee to his preservation promises".
After last night's TIF Commission vote to recommend approval of tax increment financing for the first two phases of the NorthSide, we're moving on to legislation at the Board of Aldermen. Last night provided a show of the discontent that remains, as well as the uncertainty of financing a project as vast as NorthSide. I would say those with serious ideas for the redevelopment ordinances ahead have a great chance at being heard and making change. These are not just ordinances for Paul J. McKee, Jr. -- these are ordinances for citizens of the north side, the affected neighborhoods, and for our entire city. They must reflect all of the associated aspirations for transformation.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
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2 comments:
This meeting signaled the beginning of a new and bright tomorrow in St. Louis. We have a few choices, we can do something or we can do nothing. It's about time someone has chosen to do something. The darkest of night comes before the dawning of day!
Why haven't you purchased some of these properties and done them over yourself since you are such the 'preservationist" and have a passion for it? Where there's a will there is a way!
Stop complaining. While I do appreciate some of the historical info you share, like the Paladium on Enright, but you are beginning to come off as a nag hag!
Anonymous, your comment is a bit of a nagging one. You should ask questions before making assumptions! I have purchased a building in north St. Louis before and spent money stabilizing it. However, ownership is not the only way to help, and a difficult benchmark to make. Even community development corporations and developers can't buy all the buildings they'd like to rehab. We need broader strategies. hence, I just got back from a meeting on expanding home repair funding across historic buildings. Blogging is a side line for me.
What are you doing? to help the city I'd like to know.
As for sharing my concerns about the project, that is part of the process. The other options -- blind support or blind opposition -- are not for me and aren't useful. This project is not great yet, because it has not started. It's not the plague either. To make it great, it needs planning and feedback -- McEagle doesn't know everything and openly invites the expertise of others. I don't have a "seat at the table" so I am offering my critique publicly.
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