I don’t know why I think I can work an 8 hour day and spend 8 hours in meetings and still get blogging done. Hint: Doesn’t work.
WHAT’S UP WITH THE NEW LOOK
I upgraded my Firefox and my old template looked horrible, I couldn’t look at it any more, Rob told me it showed up the same way for him at work, and I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to fix it, the differences made no sense to me, so I dumped the old format and created a new one. Not exactly happy with the color, but it works for now and don’t be surprised if if changes again.
SHERIFF VS. MPD
Ok, this would be humorous if it weren’t so serious. I mean, how to two organizations who are used to getting their way resolve a conflict? I liked the Monona Police Chief telling them to be “mature and adult about the whole thing.” I suspect it gets messy, especially with our city attorney involved. Good for the Wisconsin State Journal for writing the story. Personally, I’m glad the new contractor is more concerned about the health of the people being sent to jail. That’s a good thing. Looks like the stubbornness to transport on the part of the Madison Police Department is what is shutting down the booking area and causing the safety issues. I wonder if this ends up in court too?
KUDOS TO ROCK COUNTY
A generous offer to Dane County, thank you.
TEAR DOWN MIFFLIN ST
Wow, really? Is Mifflin St the greatest opportunity we have to make the city green? Or couldn’t we redevelop East Washington Ave or the corridor by Johnson, Pensylvania/Commerical area? Wouldn’t those areas have a bigger impact with their low density parking lot/industrial development? And isn’t it greener to use the old housing stock?
SOME GOOD NEWS FOR CAMPAIGN FINANCE
I guess maybe with the stupid Citizen’s United Supreme Court decision, the states have to pick up the slack in the area of campaign finance reform. I guess that’s maybe some good pressure to have on them.
IRON CHEF TRC FUNDRAISER ON FRIDAY
Be there! Should be good food again this year!
NOT VERY CONVINCING
Why are we paying more for paratransit bus service? At first the explanation didn’t make a whole lot of sense. It seemed to be because the scoring system said so, financial criteria are only 30% of the score, the rest a technical. But then listening further, I guess not having local maintenance facilities is problematic, but can’t they just hire a local mechanic? The full discussion is here.
COMMUNITIES RETHINK USE OF TIF
Good thinking. Now is not the time to start using TIF more and use it in the largest amount in the city’s history. Some communities get it.
UM, THE NEIGHBORS AREN’T THE OBSTACLE FOR THE EDGEWATER, THE TIF IS
$16M. Need I say more. It will take away from the immediate income for the schools which they need now more than ever, and it would be the biggest TIF award for the City of Madison for the faux public space and sets a dangerous precedent in that the project isn’t actually going to pay back the TIF. Plus, its not even in a TIF district yet – the boundaries still need to be set and the Joint Review Board still has to approve it. All bad news for the city taxpayers. I think this is the real issue with the Edgewater moving forward. But, of course, this is interesting:
What’s next for the revised Edgewater hotel redevelopment:
• The city’s financial committee, the Board of Estimates, will consider a proposal for tax incremental financing assistance. The Hammes Co. has not submitted a revised application for TIF support, but the City Council has set aside $16 million in the 2010 capital budget. No date set.
• The Landmarks Commission may get an opportunity to review revised plans. No date set.
• The Urban Design Commission has given preliminary approval but must still give final approval. No date set.
• The City Council will consider land use approvals, TIF support and possibly an appeal of a Landmarks Commission denial of the original project proposal. This is tentatively set for its April 20 meeting.
• Planning Division staff must sign off on conditions of Plan Commission approvals, which were granted on Tuesday. Time uncertain.
• The state Department of Natural Resources must approve a proposed pier. No application has been submitted.
In this case, much of this is up to the developer to get going, but I’m sure the City will be blamed for it taking too long.
That’s it for this morning, but I’m a bit behind so there may be more from the last two days tomorrow, and I’ve left out County Board elects and School Board budget issues, look for a separate post on those.
