Taxpayers will foot the entire ball for paving the alley and making storm water upgrades behind the new Kellogg Plaza & Lofts in downtown Emporia.
Project developers were not in favor of a cost-share proposal in which the city would pay to pave the alley while the developers would pick up the cost of storm water improvements for the alley.
After an hour of discussion at a work session this morning, the Emporia City Commission agreed that the city should pay for the whole project, which is estimated to cost $75,000.
“In light of economic development progress and to draw in more tax money, doing this will benefit the community,” said Mayor Jim Kessler.
Cory Haag, manager of Emporia Downtown LCC, said while they are planning to take care of drainage needs for the lofts, they never mentioned or agreed to make storm water improvements for the rest of the alley.
“It could double our cost,” he said.
In December, three families announced they would be building a three-story building of commercial space and residential apartments in the 1100 block of Commercial Street. The project will be similar to the Granada Lofts four block down the street.
For the full story, pick up the Thursday Emporia Gazette.
sail (anonymous) says...
Wow 100%,real tough on the land owner. Wonder if from now on all alley work will be done 100%.
January 12, 2011 at 1:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Yup, " Here we go " ! Are you taxpayers getting sore or bloody from the pounding or fed up yet !!!
January 12, 2011 at 1:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tell (anonymous) says...
Kessler you have got to be kidding everyone in town that wants to develop has to pay for their own improvements. Charge the developers a specials tax make them pay for the improvements. I hope the city is ready for the lawsuits.
January 12, 2011 at 1:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
This is a very good idea and I applaud the city for taking care of this problem. That alley was full of very deep potholes, worse than other alleys in town.
I don't mind paying my share for this because the Kellogg Lofts is an upscale project that will enhance the appearance of that area, just as the Granada Lofts did to the 8th and Merchant area. Finally, we have people in this town willing to invest in it instead of sitting back and complaining about it.
Thank you City of Emporia for investing in this worhwhile project.
January 12, 2011 at 2:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justaflushaway (anonymous) says...
Well, I remember saying on this site that it would be paid by the city and TAX PAYERS, but many of you said that I was wrong to think that, and besides taxes would make up wwhat ev er little difference, BULL, keep paying your taxes fools! and I just want to add, kessler you are a puke
“In light of economic development progress and to draw in more tax money, doing this will benefit the community,” said Mayor Jim Kessler, you tell me how you think this is going to help the community, the only ones it will help is your buddys, and YOU KNOW IT,,, how much do you plan on making on this kessler?????? I bet you thought zbout yourself before the community DIDNT YOU KESSLER????
January 12, 2011 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tell (anonymous) says...
I wonder what the relationship is between Charlie Haag Kesslers partner and Cory Haag and Harry Haag?
January 12, 2011 at 2:46 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tell (anonymous) says...
I'm thinking of painting my house I promise it will enhance the appearance and increase the property tax do you suppose the city would mind buying the paint.
January 12, 2011 at 2:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
justthinkin (anonymous) says...
They'll pay 100% for these improvements because they are planning to charge all other users a fee for storm water - gotta help Kessler's good old boys.
January 12, 2011 at 3:02 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yev_kassem (anonymous) says...
I am assuming the logic behind this decision was that A) we are getting a new nice expensive building that we get to tax and B) that the city was already going to have to do the storm drain upgrades anyway....?
January 12, 2011 at 3:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tell (anonymous) says...
Poor yev you assume there is logic. Sorry just good ole boys helping one another out.
January 12, 2011 at 3:50 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buffalo_Breath (anonymous) says...
Emporia has gravel alleys and old deteriorating houses in its downtown. This appears to resolve both of those issues for one area, at a pretty low price. If they aren't asking for tax exemptions, this should pay for itself in a reasonable time, and ought to count as a good investment.
I'm for it.
January 12, 2011 at 4:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
hey you guys hate Kessler so much, why not run for city commission? While he is not up for re-election, if you ran and won, you could make his remaining term a living hell.
I wonder if the word "puke" has ever been said in a commission meeting. :>)
January 12, 2011 at 5:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
City Commission and County Commission, please send by tax bill to " crate " , apparently she is wealthy beyond belief !!
January 12, 2011 at 5:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
flyboy32 (anonymous) says...
They are getting tax breaks. Puppet strings were active today.
January 12, 2011 at 5:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Steve and Crete--good posts. The homeowners in that area are having a hard enough time and this is a good project that will dress up the north end of Commerical and the front porch to the University is getting a new face. STAY TUNED, MORE TO COME.
January 12, 2011 at 5:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Good post Buffalo Breath. It's definitely a good investment, especially right in that area where there is so much retail space that could use a new facelift. How much property tax could that old house have been paying as opposed what this improved property will bring.
January 12, 2011 at 6:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tell (anonymous) says...
Don't start spending that tax money yet create the property won't be fully taxed for ten years.I can't hardly wait with all of the businesses that will be paying taxes in ten years it will be great around here.
January 12, 2011 at 6:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
There always has to be a tattle tale.
January 12, 2011 at 8 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pinkpintopony (anonymous) says...
Tell,
So maybe we shouldn't encourage any new businesses then? I'm so confused! Which is it? Improve Emporia and expand our options, or piss and moan about having to go to Topeka and elsewhere to shop and eat, all the while, griping about how much it will cost the taxpayer to have those things available to us here.
January 12, 2011 at 9:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Patience! Patience! I'm not expecting the future to happen tomorrow morning. That old house has been falling down into that lot for as long as I can remember, and I'm sure the property taxes on that place have been next to nothing. Look at it this way: Finally, there is a bright future for that spot instead of a run down piece of crap that makes the entire neighborhood look shabby. The message coming from that lot said that nobody gave a $$it. Even the half-dead tree was a danger to anyone passing by. True, the taxes have been abated, but man oh man, what's wrong with looking at things in the long term? This is not the Magic Kingdom where everything happens at warp speed.
I'm guessing that impatient people never plant trees either.
January 12, 2011 at 9:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
According to reddog, this development will receive a tax break for a while. But even so, the taxes levied should be more than the current dump is paying and may even pay for the improvements.
And I am by no means defending Kessler. I agree with justaflushaway, just for different reasons.
January 12, 2011 at 9:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
And as the property directly north of this development is owned by someone near and dear to reddog maybe we will hear more good development news soon?
January 12, 2011 at 9:20 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Pinkpintopony (anonymous) says...
26 Degrees tomorrow.....can I get a woot woot?!
January 12, 2011 at 9:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
truthornot (anonymous) says...
Cory Haag, manager of Emporia Downtown LCC, said while they are planning to take care of drainage needs for the lofts, they never mentioned or agreed to make storm water improvements for the rest of the alley.
“It could double our cost,” he said.
Just wonder if the city now will fix the drainage problems that the other merchants have.
January 12, 2011 at 9:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
REWBA (anonymous) says...
I don't know any of the parties involved in this venture but, I am glad someone has decided to invest their own money in Downtown Emporia. If it is anything like the Granada Lofts, it will be a welcome sight and I hope the investors make a lot of money.
I would hurry up and make repairs to the alley before construction begins so the contractors and subs are forced to be really really careful not to break it or be forced to pay to have it fixed...but then again, I'm funny like that. :-)
January 12, 2011 at 10:11 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
methusla (anonymous) says...
Well, I know what I am going to do from now on, starting from the time I post this !
I am no longer going to read any gazette forum posts nor am I going to make any comments on the Gazette forums !!!
Nor am I going to give a hoot whether the City and its people are being bankrupt by a certain few spend, tax and its for the kids people or their friends !
What I am going to do is concentrate on the survival of " Numero Uno " and do so in any way available to me ! And the rest of you can fall into the " goose step " rythm of the spend, tax and its for the kids crowd/mentality
January 12, 2011 at 10:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.lewrockwell.com/spl2/munic...
January 12, 2011 at 10:44 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
http://www.kewego.fr/video/iLyROoafJz...
January 12, 2011 at 10:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
jokesonme (anonymous) says...
The city needs to upgrade all the alleys in town since they no longer pick up our trash in those alleys. They are the same as abandoned property, getting no attention and deteariating, becoming overgrown with trees and brush. Drainage on most is poor.
January 12, 2011 at 11:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
neighbor (anonymous) says...
Anyone taking bets on how long this hiatus will last? I'm betting Thursday morning by 10am.
January 13, 2011 at 1:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sail (anonymous) says...
Ya I m going to miss the ol fart is he is for real.
January 13, 2011 at 7:14 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
jokesonme,
You may be on to something there. When the city moved to curbside pick up on residential routes did they pass any ordinance on the abandonment of the alleyways? I think the alleys were considered a type of easement on the property owner and they, (the property owners) are still responsible for maintaining it. As a kid I remember having to mow the alley way weekly and dodging all the rocks / gravel being thrown around by the mower.
Downtown is a different matter, however. No one would want to see or walk through trash on Commercial street so the alleys behind the buildings are necessary. For anyone who disagrees with me I would invite them to walk down Bourbon Street in New Orleans on a hot summer day during trash pick up.
As the downtown alleys are necessary it is up to the city to maintain them in good order and most are. The alley behind this new development is not, so the city made the right decision, (in my opinion).
January 13, 2011 at 7:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tell (anonymous) says...
Listen this is a great project nice improvment all of those things my point is why is the city making exceptions for the developer. They make special rules for different people it seems like if we have guidelines they should be followed by everyone. Paving the alley is wonderful will they do it for everyone that needs it we know the answer. The next time people are complaining about the snow isn't getting cleared remember we have a paved alley for 75000.00 that benfits the chosen few. I would much rather keep that kind of money for new businesses that with bring in jobs. Lots of jobs.
January 13, 2011 at 7:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
sail,
Shame on you, show a little respect for your elders.
January 13, 2011 at 7:35 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
doubt_it (anonymous) says...
“In light of economic development progress and to draw in more tax money, doing this will benefit the community,”
Sooooo, in order to get more people to come to Emporia, then he is saying we (the taxpayers) are willing to foot the entire costs if the developers & contractors aren't willing to pay??????
Do we as taxpayers even get to vote on a decision like this???
January 13, 2011 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
emporialifer (anonymous) says...
I wonder how much of that $75,000 estimate is actually for the paving part related to the lofts versus the storm water upgrades for the entire alley that the city was going to do anyway? Probably a small portion since the city was willing to pay for that part of it if the developer paid for the other. Nice try. The Gazette should have reported those numbers instead of lumping it all together to spin it in a negative light.
The Haag's do quality projects that are actually helping our town, so perhaps instead of constantly complaining about this, let's applaud the people who are willing to invest their money into this city when not everyone can/will do that. Thank you to the Haag's and other investors!
I think people should think twice before being so negative when people are willing to spend their own personal money to help Emporia (i.e. Clint Bowyer, Haags, etc.). If I was them and saw all this complaining, I might consider pulling my project since it appears there are a lot of people out there that don't appreciate it.
January 13, 2011 at 8:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Steve_Corbin (anonymous) says...
doubt_it,
Nope !
But you CAN still file for a seat on the commission and then you would be the one deciding. I'm not being a smart-_ss, I would really like to see more candidates. Enough for a primary would be good. With all the problems we are facing we should have 10-20 candidates for a good field.
January 13, 2011 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
neighbor, you taking bets on the old man's return? I say next Tuesday the 18th at 8 a.m. This is hilarious.
Emporialifer, I really like your post about how people love Emporia enough to spend big money on her development. Nicely said.
If all we did was complain about paying taxes to help develop this town, we'd still be riding horses on dirt streets. You get what you pay for. I am willing to pay my share and seeing this town advance.
You know, we have a nice location here and I'm proud of how far we have come since I moved here in 1975.
January 13, 2011 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Buffalo_Breath (anonymous) says...
You know, they say $ 5 gasoline is just around the corner, again. I don't know if that is true, but if it is (and maybe even if not) then I really like the idea of getting more residential units within walking distance of downtown and ESU. I think a lot of younger people would choose to live in an area where they don't have to drive everywhere, if there were decent and affordable (maybe I'm kidding myself, but I really believe that).
Emporia might be getting ahead of the curve, a little bit, by "going vertical" with residential development downtown.
January 13, 2011 at 3:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )