08-11-1980 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Page 28 LETTER TO THE EDITOR July 25, 1980 It is unfortunate that the media coverage of the Juvenile Justice Center site controversy has given the impression that what's at stake is the personal reputa- tions and positions of a number of elected officials rather than the interests of' the City and County taxpayers. As an 'elected officidl , I made a cor�nitment to my constituents to hold the line on taxes. In opposing the use of the General -Hospital site for the Juvenile Justice Center I have reconfirmed that commitment in that the use of this site will result in a significant loss of tax revenue and, as such, will have grave implications for future generations. We as public officials must put the interests of the taxpayer first. Given the economic consequences of a General Hospital site for the Juvenile Justice Center, I can only conclude that the City's position on this matter is fiscally irresponsible. Use of this prime downtown property, valued at $25/SF in contrast to the less than $5/SF value of the Railroad site, serious]y li�its the County's ability to meet other downtown space and facility needs on County-ownea property. ' The impact of this will be that the County will not be able to make available the Dependable Garage block for private development; something we agreed to do if the City had approved our use of the Railroad site. The likelihood of private development on the Dependable block is not mere speculation on my part as the County has already received an offer from a private developer for construction of a $40 million medical office and medium-� incon�e housing complex. Developed to its maximum density, the Dependable Garage block would generate $2.5 million in taxes annual or as much as $62 million over the next 25 years; more than six times the amount of taxes which could be generated at the Railroad site. Further, use of the General Hospital block for -- the Juvenile Justice Ce�ter will require that the County expend addi'tional tax dollars for constructien premiums associated with high-rise construction in excess of $1 million and at least $60,000 annually in increased operating costs. � Personal conflicts are likely to surface in times of stress. Throughout my disc•ussions with various City officials on the Juvenile Ju"stice Center I have been� unable to determine any clear reasons as to why the City has rejected our use of the Railroad ' site. In my opinion, � the City should no more have taken a position that did not protect the interests of the taxpayer, than the County should take a position which is �ot in the best interests of the children and families served by the Juvenile � Justice Center. Nevertheless, it is unfortunate that in my concern that the economic issues of the Juvenile Justice Cent"er were not being addressed, my conversations with Alaermen Rainville and Corrao became personal in nature. I intend to put personalities aside at this point and am corrunitted to resolving the issue at hand; namely, construc- Ition of the most economic Juvenile Justice Center possible within the earliest time frame. Sam S Sivanich 6 District Commissioner hennepin County Boara of Commissioners