The Mayor and Board held a "Town Hall Meeting" to go through the questions submitted by the community. They only took written questions to keep things civil. Although it was a good format for civility, it did not allow for any follow up discussion. The crowd was angry and it was difficult to get past the obvious fact that the Mayor and the Board (as a whole) had already made the decision to go forward with the Wal-Mart development. The "Town Hall Meeting" was just to try to explain their side of things. A woman in the crowd summed it up best at the end of the night when she said sarcastically to her friend "See you at Wal-Mart."
Mayor doesn't think that Kirkwood, Town and country, etc. have been hurt by Wal-Mart. (Did not mention Maplewood)
Traffic is a legitimate concern – Trianon will become a dead end at the development.
A lot of people in the area think that will be a good idea.
Will make sure there is emergency access.(They did not say how)
Any other type of development without anchor store and cross traffic would not be successful.
Everyone will be using same exit in Kenrick manor, but they will just have to deal with the inconvenience.
Crime – street being closed off and drop in development will decrease problems.
Chief of Police thinks that stopping the cut through will cut down in traffic. (Not sure if he understands how much traffic will be pushed through other cut throughs).
Police will determine how much new personnel will be needed. Not worried about it.
Property values – would have been affected with lots of cut through traffic, but now will not be a concern. (Not sure how they can possibly believe this)
Power house gym will not be affected.
Mom and Pop stores were put out of business by Shop and Save, Dierbergs, etc. (so might as well make the same mistake again, right?) Some stores survive because anchor stores come in. Dierbergs welcomes Walmart? Because of traffic...
Fire chief doesn't need another firehouse for this development
Trying to be more vigilant about keeping areas from being blighted.
Community was concerned about certain businesses trying to come in several years ago and police agreed so they kept them out.
What will happen to existing tenants? Will be taken care of through relocation process. Relocation policy for current tenants - can get from city hall.
What will be done to protect adjoining property during construction. City and developers will take care of it.
What are budgetary concerns? See handout about sales tax declining.
How much will tax rate have to go up if we do not have revenue coming in for deficit? Property taxes will have to increase 44% for first year to cover deficit.
Why are we doing development during bad economic times? Shrewsbury is bad economically before and after economy went in tank nationally.
Not only about money, corridor is in danger.
TIF – some people think TIFS are just the way things are. Others think that big companies should have to pay. Dierbergs came in via some type of TIF.
CID and TDD – taxes that are on products that are sold within redevelopment.
Dierbergs will not have to help pay off TIF. Money to pay off TIF will come from revenue made by development. City's general fund will not be responsible for paying off bonds. Unlike Manchester and McCausland. (This doesn't make sense. Who's fronting the money if it isn't coming from City's general fund?)
Inconvenience Trianon closing will have on those residents – does that inconvience outweigh the benefit of the city.
25 acres of property – don't just go to store and say “Hey will you develop this?”
Kirkwood took out Meachum Park not their own neighborhood – Development will not take any houses
Even though TIF will take 15 years we will start getting money throughout the whole time.
What will city do to keep same area from more blighting? City will try to do a better job reinforcing our codes.
What can we do if developer does not stick to agreement? - Legal issue
Who is going to own property? Lipton
Will entrances by PH Gym remain open? Yes
How will traffic affect other streets in community? Inconvenience we'll have to deal with. People are accustomed to current low level of traffic due to theater going out of business.
When will you send info in writing with studies, etc. ? Info is on website and will continue to go on there.
Would any city service be cut if development doesn't go through? Yes, don't know which ones.
Why don't we put a use tax in place? Has been looked at but county shot it down. Will look into it further.
If we wait until economy gets better, ability to negotiate goes down. This issue has been looked at for a long time.
Can we raise taxes? Yes – we can vote on that, but taxes will have to continually be raised because deficit will continue to increase.
Our lady of Life will discuss with Mayor tomorrow
How many voters in this community? – over 5000
Won't have certain info until we select a developer.
Town and Country development was abandoned by Wal-Mart – A: that's exactly what happened with the cinema.
There are only 2 responses to RFP and Capital land pulled out.
Length of Walmart stays around – seems to be about 15 years (Isn't this the exact length of the TIF? Does no one else see the problem with this???)
Lighting and 24 hour noise – will be looked into during site plan. Shnucks is 24 hour and not a distraction Property being lowered will help.
Why can't road be moved? Not cost justified.
Why do you want to destroy our quality of life? We have to have revenues to maintain quality of life we currently have.
What is the alternative to doing nothing? It will become a low rent district.
Why are we doing business with a sleezy developer? It is clear to Mayor that developers are difficult to deal with. Should not give up our future because of the personality of a particular person.
Why do we keep addressing a Wal-Mart? That is what has been proposed. The board of alderman has been told that not everyone is opposed to a Wal-mart. Some are opposed to Wal-mart no matter what.
Values of Wal-mart are not the values of other people. Not up to the Mayor to get into that. Plus other stores have the same issues.
When can we see the final design? Not for a while. Not until developer is chosen, etc.
Can we run Shrewsbury Ave though park? Haven't looked into it.
How do you recall the mayor and board of alderman? If you don't want something make sure you know what the alternative will be.
What is the Citizens Advisory Committee? Info on Shrewsbury website
GJ Grewe is developer – no tenants have agreed yet.
Big box is how everyone shops now so there is no way around it.
Traffic increases on Kenrick and Weil? Not discussed.
Both Laclede (county road) Watson (state road) will have to deal with their own traffic problems.
Grewe proposal does include a Wal-Mart.
How much money will we make during and after TIF? Haven't negotiated yet, don't know.
How will citizens be kept involved with Wal-mart design, etc.? Don't know yet, can email us with concerns or thoughts.
Businesses do come and go no matter if it's a Wal-mart or not.
The developers will be left with the junk bonds if revenue does not come in, not the city.
Where will you get tenants? Don't know, up to developers.
Are there other options? No.
The area has always been commercial.
Other questions will be posted on website and answered.
Mayor knows that people are concerned and board has made a great effort to listen to community.
No comments:
Post a Comment