So, I don’t know how to say this, so I’ll just say it. At the same time Exact Sciences is negotiating to come downtown, “they” also have purchased property in Research Park and are negotiating to stay there. Has this all just been a ruse?
Apparently, it’s no longer a rumor everyone is mumbling about. Apparently last night in closed session staff confirmed that while we are all paying attention to bench ordinances and crazy downtown deals, Exact Sciences is also negotiating to stay in Research Park. And they said that was “public knowledge”, not just for closed session. Well, now’s it public. Previously it was just speculation, a rumor picking up speed. (If it was “public” why wasn’t it just said in front of the reporters in the room?)
It makes sense. The council is getting ready to approve a new TIF district there. Why now? Is it suddenly blighted? (Actually, its a mixed use TID, not a blight TID, but still, the area has been under development for years, why does it need a TID now? Are there declining values of property in this area?)
It would make all the sense in the world for them to stay right there! (thanks google map and earth)
We could spend 1/4 or less of what we would downtown, Madison keeps the jobs, we get well done parking ramp, get money for affordable housing in the next tow years and get the school district back their money and it would be win, win, win, win, win.
Seriously, has this all been a ruse? A way for a bunch of consultants to make money (how much has George Austin made on this deal?) and a way to make a different ridiculous plan sound reasonable, given that they created a crisis (a circus) – anything will look reasonable.
Meanwhile, what is the loss? Erosion of public process, still no government east parking ramp, no improvements to the Municipal Building and no hotel for Monona Terrace.
And then there is always plan C, Fitchburg!
The council wouldn’t seriously pass this, would they? Not when there are other viable options with the same good impacts for the city, without all the risk and investment in a company that may or may not fail.
Meanwhile, can we put this much effort into racial equity and economic justice and affordable housing and solving poverty?
It could be a fallback plan to downtown and / or real estate investment with all their extra cash from investors. Or, their business model requires processing lots of exam kits (plastic buckets with feces in them). They would likely not want to do that downtown.