By Antonio D. French
Filed Friday, August 31, 2007 at 8:16 AM
From Michael Allen's Ecology of Absence blog: Labels: BlairmontWith the McKee development, the aldermen are gatekeepers of redevelopment. They don't need to see McKee's plans to articulate a vision for their wards, and ask that the developer act accordingly. They can expedite nuisance complaints. They will be on the front lines of the fight in the Board of Aldermen on McKee's plans. No matter what version of Distressed Areas Land Assemblage Tax Credit Act passes the General Assembly this week, it will require a tax credit applicant to get a redevelopment agreement with a municipal government -- and that has to come from the Board of Aldermen in St. Louis.
Nothing can happen for McKee without the support of these alderwomen. That's mighty power. Furthermore, nothing can happen for these alderwomen without the support of their constituents. That may be the biggest power in play here, if people use it well...
5 Comments:
April admitted that she has been getting calls for 2 years about McKee. In my opinion, if it wasn't for Michael's investigation, and also coverage by Mr. French, this would never have gotten onto the agenda. The aldermen wouldn't have done anything. If this is of concern as they say, then they would have taken McKee's property long ago through eminent domain. April said that McKee is making the area worse, and has actively done so. over a 5 year period. This meets the criterion for blight. Bosley puts people out on the street, but aldermen won't take the property of a suburban blockbusting profiteer? I wonder why? Perhaps, collusion?
April also said it is hard to figure out who the owner of all the properties were and Bosley Sr. basically said that McKee outsmarted the aldermen. I suppose our aldermen are lacking in some investigate skills or maybe will to investigate? Michael put the puzzle together without the many resources which aldermen possess.
Throughout the meeting the alderwomen stressed how much development their ward already had. Troupe said that one can understand why McKee chose this area, given the development surrounding it. He also went off topic, calling Barbara Geisman a "praying mantis." Nasheed and Oxford were the only ones who seem to have integrity. They gave their opinion of the situation in a straightforward manner. The aldermen present used doubletalk and constantly went off topic into discussions of the Cultural Resource Office and the LRA which are separate issues for another day's discussion. I wonder if the audience was more confused after the meeting or before it?
The aldermen are ill equipped to lead the situation forward which is unfortunate because they have the legal obligation per HB1.
8/31/2007 9:38 AM
Doug, all the issues are related.
LRA has enough property in each ward to qualify for the credit. Cultural resources will continue to be a problem, they have no ability to stand against an alderman on any issue.
McKee 500 buildings, LRA 6,000 buildings. These issues are related.
8/31/2007 11:09 AM
Once McKee starts greasing the palms of that damn Slay and alderpeople,he will have all the power!
8/31/2007 1:51 PM
I wasn't completely surprised that Jeff Smith supported McKee. I guess McKee's lawyers gave him a lot of money. I was surprised to hear him privately mocking Urban Review, Allen's blog and some of the other bloggers and posters who have fought McKee. It just seems like bad form.
8/31/2007 1:53 PM
^
Not surprising. That little fucker thinks he's smarter than everyone.
1/02/2008 2:59 PM
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