[RP TownTalk] Jey's Auto

[Sue Collins]

The main problem I have with all this - in the past, whenever I or anyone else have made suggestions on town improvements, new projects, etc., the VERY first thing we hear is “we don’t have any money.”  And now in these tough economic times when government services at all levels are being either trimmed back or eliminated, it seems we CAN afford to buy a piece of land on the very edge of town, and presumably spend more taxpayer money to turn it into a park?  Too, since the property IS on the edge of town, in an area where the closest town residents live a few blocks down Cleveland Avenue, a park wouldn’t really be “handy” for people to enjoy.  Unless we’d count driving by and saying “ooh, look at the park?” as being able to enjoy it?  I still think the money would be better spent on existing properties and projects within the town.   If we do in fact have surplus funds lying around, perhaps I should consider standing at the Town
 Hall with a cardboard sign saying “Resident of Riverdale Park; please help, any amount appreciated, God bless.”  


From: Jonathan W. Ebbeler <jebbeler at efusionconsulting.com>
To: towntalk at riverdale-park.org
Sent: Wednesday, September 14, 2011 10:56 AM
Subject: [RP TownTalk] Jey's Auto


Sue – 
 
I would encourage you to stay involved and to make your voice heard.   The history of our country shows that a single voice can and will make a difference.  Political, business, or socio-economic standing does not influence my choices or how I vote.  I try to govern by following the examples my grandfather, Leonard W. McDonald  whom founded several of the State of Utah’s Pension Plans and was the Executive Director of the State Retirement System for 25 years.  The biggest life lesson he taught me, and one I try to employ every day, is that you treat everyone with the same amount of respect and courtesy regardless of their position in life.  Everyone has a lesson to teach you and it is up to you to learn it.
 
I understand your frustrations with the process and hope that will not discourage you in the future.  As has been stated, there is not a deal and it is not anticipated that Jey will sell the property; the Town is actively investigating our options to deal with a situation of economic blight.   That being said, there are very specific reasons why this path is being investigated at Jey’s vs. other properties.
1)      This property is a cornerstone of Riverdale Park and what will either encourage or discourage future commercial re-vitalization along Route 1;
2)      There are Occupancy and Use issues at Jey’s that do not exist with Town Center or other commercial properties.  The M-U-TC committee, Town Council, and Mayor have unanimously opposed a gas station at this site which is the only supported use the owner will consider for Jey’s Auto; Douglas Development would support a wide variety of commercial enterprises that the Town would support; the owners of the other buildings already demonstrate that they are willing to lease out spaces to a myriad of commercial interests;
3)      This is an issue of triage: the more immediate issue as hand is Jey’s; it is out of code, it has been an eyesore for years, and it is unlikely to ever be brought back into code compliance.  The Douglas Development buildings in Town Center, while vacant, have a property manager that deals with code compliance issues on a timely basis;
4)      The Council is pursuing different avenues towards a Town Center revitalization including investigating property tax structures that creates a disincentive to keeping properties vacant.  At the last work session I touched briefly on this;
 
This move is part of a new and holistic approach to economic development in our town; this is one piece of a very complicated and complex puzzle and the tools we use to address one situation are not applicable in others.  Please keep in mind as well, I brought forward a Resolution at the last Legislative meeting for the town to pursue an Arts and Entertainment District designation.
 
Best,
 
Jonathan 
 
 
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