City gave away Snyder Memorial Building...

[JaxInvestor]

in case you didn't see this, thought it was mightily deserving of it's own thread...the city gave away the Snyder Memorial to Police and Fire Pension Fund... Do incumbent mayors still seek to win the favor of fire and policemen?

http://www.metjax.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2700

[JaxInvestor]

Mayor, JEDC Director and Chief of Real Estate,

As I citizen of Duval County, I am requesting to know whose idea it was to give the Snyder Memorial Building to The F&P Pension Fund? Also, what was the vetting process used prior to this gift being given?

It was the public's understanding, prior to this backdoor deal taking place, that there was an RFP to be issued for the Snyder Building (takes place through the JEDC, correct?). What happened? Why was the public not notified that you intended to just give this building away?

Mayor, didn't you just recently go before the City Council and speak of how our city was in tough financial straits, but that we were now trying to work our way back out of the deficit?

Answer this question: Doesn't giving away a very valuable property, such as this, starkly contrast with the words you delivered before the City Council? I know that the Mayoral election is just around the corner and that having the Fire and Police backing is important for an incumbent Mayor, but don't you think the City needs the funds that could've been generated from the sale of the Snyder Memorial Building?

By way of this email, I am also requesting the Office of General Counsel Attorney - Rick Mullaney to investigate the legality of this transaction on behalf of the taxpayers of Duval County.

Lastly, this email also serves as a public records request for all documents and media involved in this transaction. Please let me know when I may pick these documents up and I look forward to your replies.

Sincerely,

[Jim]

To me, this is a band-aid for the wounds Peyton inflicted upon them. They've been pretty pissed off at him lately.

[Diane Melendez]

Way to go Jax Investor. We must keep asking the "important" questions and making sure we get facts and answers in return. Good letter!

[RiversideGator]

This is especially obnoxious given the fact that the old Central Fire Station at the corner of Adams and Ocean was for sale for $1.9 million and is now under contract for an undisclosed amount (probably close to the asking price, I would guess). Based on this, I would estimate that the Snyder could very well have sold for $1 million. Now, I am not privy to the secret dealings between the City and the Pension Fund, but based on Peyton's past management of City affairs, I am not confident that he got the best deal for the City.

By the way, the deal with the Pension Fund needs to be renegotiated ASAP.

[Stephendare]

Title this entry
"Stultifying Hogwash"

I talked with both Suzanne Jenkins and Carol Resch in Elaine Brown's office today, and both were a cross of livid and surprised.

Suzanne had a meeting with Adam Hollingsworth over it and Adam got his first wind of the transfer when Suzanne called him.

Turns out that this is apparently a clause of the deal that no one was aware of, (at least amongst those three), and since it apparently happened without City Council knowledge and approval, the deal should also be reversible.

Apparently these deals are ongoing because the City agreed to complete the monies lacking for the Police and Firemen's Pension and decided to trade real estate for cash, so in the process the Fund has found itself in control of some of the city's most interesting real estate.

If the Fund is merely turning right around and brokering deals on the property, wouldnt the city be better off selling the buildings directly?

For example, if the city trades the fund for the assessed value of the buildings (for example 5 mil.) and then the fund flips the property for market rate (say perhaps 10 mil.) couldnt the city do the exact same thing and pay the Fund 10 mil and be done with it, instead of only getting credit for 5 mil?

This is a hell of a way to use the city's power to renovate the downtown. As one of the largest property owners in the downtown, the city could transform the city overnight simply by putting its own inventory to work.

Instead we have a hotdog on the Main Street bridge, secret trolley routes which are secretly free, and this mayhem.

what the hell?

Stephen Dare.

[JaxInvestor]

Originally Posted by Stephendare

secret trolley routes which are secretly free

Stephen Dare.

lol...accurately and humorously described function of the JTA

[Diane Melendez]

The mayor better be nervous. Maybe it has finally begun to dawn on him that he is in a situation so serious that even money can't buy him out of it.

People are fed up and sick over what is becoming of Jacksonville. Money can buy more promtion and shove his face in front of the people on a regular basis. If the recent primary was any indication, the people are sick of seeing politicians with their face flashing from the T.V. everytime they turn it on, or hearing them plead for their support by invading their homes with phone calls. His money won't help him now.

[Joe]

The funny thing for me is that I wouldn't even really care if Stephen's fears came true. I don't really care whether the city sells it directly, or lets the Fund sell it. Either the city ends up paying the Fund directly, or the Fund's general profits reduce the amount the city owes them.

All I care about is that the city goes through the proper channels, so at least everyone knows what's going on. So that we know 1) who is getting what; 2)how they're getting it; 3) and how much it's really worth.

But the mayor's office can't even seem to pass that incredibly loose standard. They were clearly trying to pull something over - not only on the citizens, but on city council ... and that really pisses me off.

[Joe]

Yup. It's hilarious in the worst possible way.

[Stephendare]

Kudos once again to Suzanne Jenkins.

This is the umpteenth time that she has acted in situations like this to represent the regular people and a sensible development policy.

[JaxInvestor]

[Charles Hunter]

The Nieghborhoods Dept. (or whatever they call it now) recently moved into the Fire Pension Building at Adams and Main (the old WTGrant store) - wonder if they are paying rent, or if the value of the rent is going against the City liability to the Fund?

[fsujax]

LOL....love the picture!

[JaxInvestor]

and..the city is giving a contractor $385,000 to replace the roof....hmm...

http://www.metrojacksonville.com/content/view/206/57/

[Gone North]

There is no free lunch.

[JaxInvestor]

Originally Posted by GovWonk

There is no free lunch.

huh?

[Chipwich]

For $385,000 that roof better be made out of Monet paintings and Bald Eagle Eggs.