Confidentiality. And rarely do you see a letter as open and honest as this. It’s mostly done behind the scenes in whispers.
January 25, 2012
David R. Lumley
CEO
Spectmm Brands
601 Rayovac Drive
Madison, WI 53711Dear Mr. Lumley,
While I appreciated that your consultants informed the City of Madison of your search process and confidential outreach to area developers to solicit proposals for the siting of your corporate headquarters, I am extremely disappointed that the City was not able to submit our own proposals directly to you. The City respected your confidentiality request by refraining from contacting Madison developers and property owners. Your process, however, prevented us from more aggressively showcasing Madison sites. Had we had this opportunity, I’m confident we could have worked with you to develop a site with a lower cost bottom line to your shareholders and a greener, more sustainable alternative.
Spectrum Brands is a storied Madison company. Its predecessor, the French Battery Company was founded here in 1906 and Madison has tried to be a good pattner ever since. Madison was pleased to work with you in 1984 to provide over $2 million in TIF assistance for your cu11’ent headqumters and to rename your street Rayovac Drive. We would welcome the oppmtunity to continue your legacy within the City.
There are Madison sites beyond your current headqumters. I am sure your consultant infmmed you that there can be incentive packages that would have provided you with attractive alternatives. I urge you to consider the following parcels in the City of Madison. These are just three options that can meet your cost and enviromnental concerns:
1. 2921 Landmark Place (Mmtenson Investment Group)-Located on the beltline near Todd Drive, this 6.5 acre site boasts spectacular views of downtown and the Capitol. The site is in an existing Tax Increment District (TID #35) and is well served by Madison Metro Transit. The most recent commercial development in this District is the successful Arbor Gate complex.
2. Silicon Prairie (Welton Enterprises)- Located at the intersection of Mineral Point Road and South Point Road, Silicon Prairie has over 100 acres available for sale, lease, and build-to-suit. It is proximate to your current location and the beltline and is home to the corporate headquatters of Full Compass Systems.
3. Union Corners (City of Madison)- A historic Rayovac property, this II acre site is in the
heart of our East side and was home to the former French Battery Company. The City of Madison cutTently owns this propetty and has created TID #37 to facilitate its redevelopment. It is situated in close proximity to the City’s Capitol East District within which Shopbop recently chose to locate its corporate headquarters. The site has excellent public transit service, is located on East Washington Avenue, one of the City’s major transpmtation and gateway corridors, with excellent access to State Highways 30, 113 and ISland Interstate Highways 90 and 94. It is within easy access of the Capitol and the Dane County Regional Airport.Two of these properties are in existing Tax Increment Districts and I am open to discussing creating a new Tax Increment District for Spectrum Brands. I am confident we can assemble a competitive assistance package, including a competitive TIF offer.
The city of Madison is committed to being a good pattner and I hope we can discuss this issue further.
Paul R. Soglin
Mayor
Maybe supply your rationale and objections along with Soglin’s text , rather than assume Readers know? Am I immune from understanding because my own parent was in City Gov’t his entire life? Keeping businesses from moving, building Industrial and Business parks “on speculation” when you don’t have a single buyer yet, pumping up infrastructure and laying pipe and streets, offering TIFs – this is all normal behavior for city officials. They would be considered derelict in their duties if they did not build relationships and keep commercial spaces filled and locals employed.
If your Mayor doesn’t try to work with the company, and yes, suggest a TIF if appropriate, then the mayor down the road will. Unless someone can explain further, Soglin seems to simply be doing his normal day-to-day job, as any other American Mayor would?
The only person I’ve yet seen who goes bat-shit over TIFs (TID) to the exclusion of all other types of municipal/political behaviors (many of which he participates in actively himself) is in Oshkosh. I never understood his TIF freak-outs. TIFs are not “a Republican thing”. Cronyism and Golf Course Deals are very uncool, but a seperate thing.
I honestly don’t get this one, as the old lady used to say – Where’s The Beef?
Other than that the guy seems to have as many typos as I usually do, I’m un-amazed?
Sorry, I was at work and didn’t have time, but you make a valid point. Here’s what professional reporters who get paid have time to do – http://host.madison.com/ct/business/biz_beat/biz-beat-soglin-claims-city-was-shut-out-of-spectrum/article_433a0ad2-492e-11e1-b838-001871e3ce6c.html That better describes what I was thinking. But, we couldn’t submit a proposal or have a chance of bidding because we wouldn’t sign a confidentiality agreement, but government has to abide by open records laws. And this goes even further and shows how the company didn’t want to be here cuz of the protests.
I’m unclear what your point about TIF is? We’ve already given them TIF once, and I guess would be ready to give them TIF again to keep them here. The issue I was having, was the confidentiality piece . . . and now their attitude towards Madison.
Dave had been susceptible to horse-hockey, and Paul is probably not going to accept that due to his experience. I think that is the main difference between the two mayors. Dave is experienced, and I expect we shall be seeing him around. If he learns how to do cost-value analysis and keeps a tight leash on department heads, and learns shine-ola from something.