The November 29, 2006 edition of the Call !!!
Please click on the header to be directed to this weeks edition of the Call. There sure is a lot of ink on the P & Z board meeting, I had no idea we were important enough to rate that much space!
At any rate, Mr. Wasson has done a very good job of reporting the meeting, and I think it's about time we started asking some "tough questions" of our economic development director as to why she seems to be for a TIF, when, if you ask me, none is needed.
There is only so much money to go around folks, and I think we have reached the bottom of the pot. What say we attract new business to Crestwood the old fashioned way, we go out and ask for it!
Tom Ford
NO.253
At any rate, Mr. Wasson has done a very good job of reporting the meeting, and I think it's about time we started asking some "tough questions" of our economic development director as to why she seems to be for a TIF, when, if you ask me, none is needed.
There is only so much money to go around folks, and I think we have reached the bottom of the pot. What say we attract new business to Crestwood the old fashioned way, we go out and ask for it!
Tom Ford
NO.253
posted by Crestwood Independent at 18:32
22 Comments:
Tom, I respectfully disagree with your blanket assumption that TIF, CID, is not needed. Crestwood is NOT the first choice of retailers. Retail follows rooftops and those have moved west. Additionally, Crestwood's demographics indicate an older community/trade area that tends to save its money rather than spend it.
These factors are not attractive to retailers. Factor in redevelopment on older commercial space (demolition, abatement costs, etc.) and developers can not attract quality retail without some type of assistance to lower costs. Lower costs allow developers to provide attractive lease rates that may entice retailers to look at Crestwood.
Add to this the fact that neighboring communities actively utilize TIF and we must be prepared to utilize the same if we want a sales tax based revenue stream to pay our bills. The days of having our cake and eating it too are over.
Thank's for your well thought out reply! Correct, retail follows roof top's, but have you noticed that new roof top's are coming to town?
We are about to gain at least six businesses that I know of next spring with the new strip center, and the retail / doctor's building on Big Bend Crossing.
While I do agree that in some cases a TIF might be needed, I do not believe this is one of them. The developer has been, and continues to collect rent from the vacant spaces (until the leases run out,)and in my opinion could use the monies to help with the renovation.
I fuly agree that "if we want a tax based system to pay our bills,"
we will no doubt need to do somthing in the future. That said, as for now, I would like to know just what is going in the space were paying for before we give up the farm key's.
As you know we receive little or no tax's from labor intensive businesses, so woulden't it just make sense to have a few committment's befor we pony up the fund's?
don;t forget the Salavation Army Store, it's coming to town too!!
Indeed it is! Thank goodness we decided to allow it, a little of the Lord's work may indeed help this town! We have tried it the other way, and, well?
Tom Ford
There seems to be a rumor in town that with the new "Watson Road plan," the City will be changing the zoning from residential to commercial on north bound Sappington Rd.
First, the story "written by Mr. Wasson" (he was not there, Ms. Daley was, and I believe she sent him the story) does not say that there will be any changes to that section of land.
Second, including the City hall, the old St. E's school, and the trail only mean's that there may be funding available if we include thoes parcils of land in the development!
I was at the P & Z board meeting (I am a member,) so I believe I am correct in telling you that at no time was the idea of zoning changes to Sappington Rd. mentioned, read the minutes when they become available on the City web site.
Please treat this rumor as what it is, a mis-read of the article, or, at best, a mistake on someones part!
Tom Ford
I know it's not a tax generating powerhouse but Creston Center paid for it's own updates. As did the Crestwood Executive Center?
Tax tools would be good for the Mall or a big retailer. But a hardware store? There are at least 4 or 5 hardware stores in the area. Is a hardware store going to convince AppleBees to stay?
And Office Depot and Sports Authority moved to be near Wal-Mart. Tax tools are not going to make that shopping center more attractive to retailers. Those are for the developer.
Goodwill is also coming to Watson Rd...
I Agree, tax generating "powerhouse" or not, Mr. Grewe needs to look at his own bank account for these "renavation's"
Tom Ford
I'm sure Mr. Grewe will fill the shoping center with whatever he can find. Most likley, that will be some type of non sales tax generating tennants. Perhaps a church or daycare.
Hay, leave the Lord's business alone! Don't bring up the Goodwell or churchs, we need to learn to live with less as long as we are not willing to increase our property tax
Learn to live with less? It's a failed development and the "proposed improvements" will not attract new business because they are not improvements they are routine maintenance items.
How can you blame the tenant for wanting to leave? They've been left out there all alone for the past 4-5 years.
There is such a thing as oversaturation of retail. The City does not win when when developments within it's borders are competing.
Goodwill is opening down the street on Watson in Sunset Hills. Seems that will open way before our Salvation Army!
This city has relied on sales tax too long. We better stop kidding ourselves that we can survive in the future strictly on sales tax.
Whether anyone sees it for what it is, if we keep trying to saturate our city with commerical establishments, and do not consider a good tax increase, we will become part of the county, which may be the best thing we can do to save ourselves.
Also, Urban sprawl will eventually deminish our city and just like Famous Southtown, our plaza will close if people keep moving further and further out to get better prices on new homes. Where you see new homes, that is where your big stores will development.
Kirkwood and Webster may have higher taxes, but they are able to co-exist with urban sprawl because there housing stock is still worth more because they have used their monies to keep main street the neucleus of the city, with smart shops, food courts, etc. and people can enjoy shopping, visiting and purchasing all centered around main street.
It's only a matter of time before this happens.
12:13 That's a home run!!!!!! Way to tell it like it is. The question is are there enough people, like your self, in the City to demand of it's current leadership that they face the honest cold hard facts that you presented and provide plans to deal with same?
Definately agree with the last two comments!!!
Yes, I think civic pride was demonstrated in the last 2 blogs. We can do it just as soon as we realize the opportunity to unite in our ideas. Most assuradly it is time to stop being tiffed out and realize our limitations and our capabilities. We are what we are and that is no longer a giant in the retail world, but rather a settled bedroom community willing to revise our strategies.
All aboard.
To the last four bloggers! Please come to the lighting program at 6:00 pm 12/6/06!
Afterwords, join me in a drink at Los Margueritas, and let's expand on these idea's!
Tom Ford
Follow this link to a story about a verry suspicious "coincidence." Looks like Westfield may have been planning some "pay back" against Trueblood because he never took any kickbacks!
What link?
What coincidence?
What payback?
What kickbacks?
Not sure I understand this blog.
Mr. Trueblood was more than eager to lease a suite at Westfield when he and Don Greer and thir gang decided to move the city offices there so the $14.5 Million Dollar police palace could be built.
Is it possible since this police palace all fell through and was a total illogical and political joke that Westfield determined the Crestwood Board Of Aldermen was incompetent and developing the Plaza was futile considering this? Connect the dots on this.
Here is the link
http://www.ksdk.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=108953
poster 1:04 HUH???What dots?
Wow! That's a wild story - I can't believe the hatred and payback could go all the way to trying to harm trueblood's son! I hope anyone filing to run for alderman knows his children may be in danger!
Now that's a long way around the tree! Heck, there are no dot's to connect!
Now, had they been shopping in Crestwood, this never would have happened!
Just goes to show you, it's safer in Crestwood, so for heven's sake, please shop Crestwood first, and last!
We could start a new slogan, " Crestwood, the shopping place where the mall dosen't fall!"
Tom Ford
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