This just in..................
This Monday, a petition for scheduling a public hearing on the matter of giving tax-exempt property status for the Art Museum downtown.
I understand they are well within their rights to request this, but seriously now. And it's not just that alone. It's 110 Salem Ave. SE and the storage building at 302 Campbell Ave. SE
Does not one negate the need for the other?
The city has gifted the land under the Art Museum to them, and now they ask for a break on property taxes. Could it be because they are running short on funds, and know that the property taxes would break the bank?
I don't know - maybe it's just me, but it seems fishy. I might be willing to give them one property, but not both.
Untested and unproven revenue from the "tourists" who will come to see the new art museum do not assure the city of any monetary growth. I would think considering all the "bending over backwards" the city has done during the construction of the museum, the least the museum could do is pay property taxes - as an assurance. Even if they asked for reduced taxes, that I might be ok with. But an exemption?
I'm personally not too keen on the idea of giving them anything more without SOME assurance (or insurance) for the city.
My 2 cents.
Eagerly awaiting the Valley Forward press conference, although it is dubiously timed.
That is all....................
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