http://www.bizjournals.com/jacksonville/news/2013/12/09/city-still-not-ready-to-release-public.html
Wow. What a fiasco. This is why nobody wants to deal with Jacksonville. I'm not sure how a contractor's invoice is more trustworthy than an SEC filing, but I guess that's why I'm not on city council. This should be no more than a 1-2 (capable) person decision. Instead, we're leaving this up to 18 inept council members and Lori Boyer (thank goodness), to get this done. If this isn't passed tonight, I'll be quite disappointed.
Go for it Jacksonville City Council...Zillow just put us in the top 10 housing markets,,do anything to can to drag Jacksonville down..
Settle down folks, the city council knows how important this project is, and I am confident it will get done. Jobs, permits, taxes are all on the line. The folks at the City know how to do their jobs. I applaud them for asking the questions no one asked when the whole Shipyard Fiasco was going on. So let them do their jobs, and ask the questions needed to make sure taxpayer dollars are being spent appropriately.
Quote from: Captain Zissou on December 10, 2013, 11:23:21 AM
Wow. What a fiasco. This is why nobody wants to deal with Jacksonville. I'm not sure how a contractor's invoice is more trustworthy than an SEC filing, but I guess that's why I'm not on city council.
I ask federal auditors this all the time when I try and give them our 10-K
It has been a fiasco with both projects. I see why developers steer clear of Jacksonville. How does city hall not feel like idoits.?
Quote from: stephendare on December 10, 2013, 12:29:59 PM
Quote from: mtraininjax on December 10, 2013, 12:23:05 PM
Settle down folks, the city council knows how important this project is, and I am confident it will get done. Jobs, permits, taxes are all on the line. The folks at the City know how to do their jobs. I applaud them for asking the questions no one asked when the whole Shipyard Fiasco was going on. So let them do their jobs, and ask the questions needed to make sure taxpayer dollars are being spent appropriately.
dude, you totally need to start paying closer attention to what you are drinking.
actually in this case he may be partially right...I think City Council is way ahead of the Office of General Counsel on this one.
It's not hard to stay ahead of the General Counsel's Office in any instance as they have a severe leadership problem right now.
Quote from: fsquid on December 10, 2013, 12:30:40 PM
Quote from: Captain Zissou on December 10, 2013, 11:23:21 AM
I'm not sure how a contractor's invoice is more trustworthy than an SEC filing, but I guess that's why I'm not on city council.
I ask federal auditors this all the time when I try and give them our 10-K
If something is only worth what someone will pay for it, how does a contract for $40M not make the project worth $40M? This is not a federal audit, it's making sure the improvements to the land satisfy the agreement with the city. I think the contract does that
Received an email an hour ago from Jen Jones (Unity Plaza Executive Director) requesting the public to show support at the City Council Meeting today at 5pm at City Hall.
Well, hopefully the City Council will do what needs done. Meaning, pick up the slack, again.
^ and again, and again. Kinda sad.
Updates?
Hallmark worked out the issues with Office of General Counsel....avoided a City Council vote that could have been contrary to staff position
From the Times-Union:
Quote
City Council withdraws bill that would have leased historic armory building to Sons of Confederate Veterans
...
In another closely watched project in the downtown area, the council approved a contract amendment clearing the way for the developers of 220 Riverside to get $2.6 million from the city for construction of Unity Plaza.
The council voted 17-1 for the amendment after that documents provided Tuesday night to the council would be sufficient to show the developers are investing at least $30 million in the 220 Riverside project, which features a seven-story apartment complex.
Unity Plaza will be a park with an amphitheater able to hold about 2,000 spectators in tiered seating and on grassy sides.
At issue was what type of documents would be acceptable to the city to comply with a previously executed contract between the city and Hallmark Partners. Daniels voted against the contract amendment. She said she wanted more time to review the documents, which included a construction change order showing a price of $30.8 million for the project.
Other council members were satisfied the developer is meeting its end of the deal and said 220 Riverside promises to be a catalyst for more downtown-area development.
...
http://members.jacksonville.com/news/metro/2013-12-10/story/city-council-withdraws-bill-would-have-leased-historic-armory-building
Quotedude, you totally need to start paying closer attention to what you are drinking.
Stephen, your first course this evening will be CROW, would you like Grey Poupon or Heinz Ketchup?
:o
TU article from two weeks ago detailing all the difficulties the developer encountered working with the city.
http://members.jacksonville.com/opinion/premium-opinion/2013-12-10/story/how-city-permitting-slows-development
It makes no difference how long CC takes as long as we do not get screwed by another developer like the shipyard, TWICE!
Not sure you are comparing apples to apples here. Not sure I ever saw anything vertical at the shipyards while they city was throwing money away while this project is already well on its way to completion. Good to be cautious but also good to let common sense enter the decision making process sometime.