MDC to spend $2,000,000 on....wait for it......a parking garage!
A parking garage four blocks from the soon to be revamped (and more interactive!) Centennial Plaza. Because, you see, what is really holding Midland's dowtown area back is a lack of parking spaces.
The MDC Board has approved this. We will have to wait and see if the City Council is smoking crack approves it.
Hat Tip to Newsroom Stew who has the press release right now. You will be able to get the press release at the MDC's own website within about four months.
Here is a mental exercise: Try to remember all of the campaign ads and literature put out by the ED Sales Tax proponents on what was going to be done with the money in the name of economic diversification.
Now....in your head, re-write them with what has actually been done with the money.
"We will help guarantee Midland's future by purchasing parking garages for local oil economy-based companies!"
This is fraud, pure and simple. It is time to sunset this dog.
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You know, you would think $2 million would buy a few more parking spaces for the public than 75 fully available and the remainder of the garage being available by "arrangement."
Though, this parking garage really isn't that close to the downtown "cultural" spots (you still have to cross Big Spring), so it really won't re-vitalize the part of downtown to off business hours use the boosters really want.
I'm really curious why it the MDC used a special meeting to incent a parking garage for a project that is now close to one-year into development? It isn't like Basic WASN'T going to build parking for their project and what's a week or two for the regular meeting?
I would point out, that besides being a benefit to a local Oil & Gas based company, this incentive smacks of the MDC usual, this deal was gonna happen anyway, without tax dollars, but we don't have anything that really "closes the deal" on a new or diverse employer, so we're just gonna throw cash at this project so it doesn't look like we're not doing anything. (ala Trace, ala NGSG, ala Sentry, etc.)
Gee ! Since I actually voted FOR something , I feel real good and want to do it again !
Someone...please shoot me .......LoL....
THIS is the PERFECT EXAMPLE of WHY people who have interests in "DOWNTOWN" should NOT be allowed to make DECISIONS involving YOUR MONEY downtown!
Just WHAT do these people have in mind that would bring MASSIVE TRAFFIC CONGESTION to downtown MIDLAND ????
Are we getting a pro-football team like Greenbay? Is TI coming back? Has oil reached 250.00 bbl? Has the Rajs's wife died and we are building a palace for her remains ? What ????
LET DOWNTOWN DIE !!
Quit trying to micro-manage downtown Midland !
It is a SPACE which will eventually fill up with whatever is appropriate for itself!
Quit trying to turn it into something that is (at this point)against it's nature !
Nitwits ! Dimwits !
ZOMBIES !
BAH !
Would Otto Support the incenting of a Spicy Rum Distillery in Downtown Midland, that delivered?
I'll be curious to find out if this is what the Council had in mind when they rolled out the new and improved (with better communications!) Midland Development Corporation Version 2.0 after the Dean Baldwin clustersomething.
I have a LARGE backyard close to DOWNTOWN Midland that I would DONATE to the good people of Captain Morgan Enterprises !
Instead of cash I would gladly take rent in "TRADE". I'm sure this would be a suitable arrangement for all and I would end up with a hell of a lot more friends than the six needed to carry me out.
Show me the papers Ospurt and I'll sign them .
( My bride say's she will too.)
8,000 people voted in the last local election. Does that mean 800 signatures gets a sunset on the ballot? It could be done
It is too bad oil companies don't have the money to build their own parking garages. Oil is below $60 after all.
As far as the Council vote, Dufford and Perry are oil guys, so their votes are in. James and Morales, ex-MDC guys, vote for it. That's 4-0.
If it mattered, Morgan wouldn't have the backbone to vote against it (is she pondering an at-large run?), and Hailey and Trost need the others to vote for some of their issues down the line. So there you have it, 7-0 for an oil company subsidy. At least, the facility will be "available to the public during non-business hours by arrangement." By arrangement, it says. Those MDC people sure struck a deal for all Midlanders.
There is $18 million left for the MDC to blow.
As far as James and Morales I think you are correct. The MDC is their baby and can't be wrong....or at least cannot be seen to be wrong. Ever. The MDC could roll a crap grenade into the council chamber and get yes votes here.
I hold out hope that Council members Dufford and Morgan, and Mayor Perry will see this for the $2,000,000 ex post facto photo op for the MDC that it is and vote No.
Ms. Morgan was the loudest and first critic of the Dean Baldwin deal, after all.
And if Council members Trost and Hailey swing for the reason you stated (and I don't know that they do) then they go with the majority.
Midland Development Corporation + $$$$$$= CARP
As I hinted in your Jan. 2 blog about MDC
"Midland Development Corporation, 2002 to 2008: $31 million in, $2.8 million out"