QuoteBy Matt Galnor
When the developers of the twice-failed Shipyards project didn't pay their 2008 property taxes, two out-of-town investors were happy to pick up the tab - with 17 percent interest and an outside chance at getting the land.
Now, Jacksonville taxpayers will foot the bill for the investors' tidy profit of $86,000 - enough to pay for two of the 40-plus Jacksonville city employees who'll be pink-slipped this summer.
The interest is the toughest part for many to swallow of the nearly $600,000 tax bill the city is now covering on the 44-acre site along the St. Johns River downtown.
Knowing everything it knows now, the city might have worked a deal to avoid having those two properties among the more than 33,0000 on the block at last year's tax certificate sale, said Paul Crawford, deputy director of the Jacksonville Economic Development Commission.
Full article: http://jacksonville.com/news/metro/2010-05-18/story/investors-make-86000-back-shipyards-taxes-jacksonville-taxpayers-pay
Oh I cant wait to hear the responses on this one. Especially those who run to the city's defense at the drop of a dime.
Just one more glaring example of the ineptitude of the current administration and most of their henchpersons! I mean if you start totaling up all of the missed oppertunities and the projects that have sunk and really really look at just what the taxpayers have paid.............there is the $58 Million Dollar shortfall! Great job John Boy, now go the heck home and stay there! If this City were run like a business, we would have declared Chapter 11, 7 or 8 years ago!
Dumb, dumb, dumb. Was there ever any real question that the City was going to take this property back?
What a joke. This is a project that was to have such oversite with quarterly or was it semiannual reports as to the status of a taxpayer bailed out project. And this happens.
This should be the biggest wake up call to the people of Jacksonville and when this property reverts back to the people of Jacksonville that the 680' Public Pier should be immediately used for economic development and Public Access. Figure out the plan for the 40 plus acres of land but use the pier right out of the box. The success of the pier can only generate positive benefits for the land.
We are a Port city. Use some containers on the pier for businesses. Have the ART container, The Sportsmans container, Food container, Exercise container, Just a thought but there are 14 Ports in the state of Florida. We are members of FIND (Florida Inland Navigation District) some members like the idea. The containers are basically uniform in size. Imagine solar panels and the potential illumination on this structure.
I supported Mayor Peyton when he illuminated the bridges. I hope that Mayor Peyton will make this one of his last administrative actions if this property comes back to him while he is still in office. If not it should be a citywide city council issue and mayoral campaign issue in the next election.
Noone.............I just happen to agree with your view, but have to ask.......is it set in stone that the pier will be put into operation when that property reverts to the City? Has Councilman Gaffney stated an affimative for that to take place? Since I have not heard anything to vouch for that scenario taking place, it makes me wonder just what plan B is and why we haven't heard anything about it? Taxpayers get to pay for another mistake.....we wonder why we are $58 Million Dollars in the upcoming budget, Johnny can say what he wants, but I make note of the actions taking place to this point in time and am not encouraged by what I have seen!
Shipyards are the GIFT that keeps on giving back to Jax. What a fiasco.
Quote from: CS Foltz on May 19, 2010, 07:37:05 PM
Noone.............I just happen to agree with your view, but have to ask.......is it set in stone that the pier will be put into operation when that property reverts to the City? Has Councilman Gaffney stated an affimative for that to take place? Since I have not heard anything to vouch for that scenario taking place, it makes me wonder just what plan B is and why we haven't heard anything about it? Taxpayers get to pay for another mistake.....we wonder why we are $58 Million Dollars in the upcoming budget, Johnny can say what he wants, but I make note of the actions taking place to this point in time and am not encouraged by what I have seen!
No Its not set in stone. But if our city council can sponsor a resolution of support for a Navy Ship that currently has $100,000 but would seek millions in taxpayer subsidies than we can use free enterprise without a taxpayer bailout and immediately create 10 businesses using containers. Councilman Gaffney likes the idea but is doing more research.
I did mention that it should be a city council campaign issue not only for him but every council race. Don't get me wrong I hope he takes the ball and runs with it. It should also be a mayoral campaign issue too. Just focus on the PIER. I know if a candiate doesn't support it they won't be getting my vote. Its not the only issue but it will weigh heavily with me.
This opportunity is just dumb luck that we are getting this back. The people of Jacksonville need to immediately take advantage of this. It will require legislation.
Our new CRA/DIA in the USA being created right now.
Community meetings open to the Public 11/4/13 and 11/5/13.
You got to love it when the consultants mention to DIA Board members during Public comment at a meeting to tighten up because people have gone to jail.
How will Public Access and economic opportunity be addressed on our St. johns River our American Heritage River a FEDERAL Initiative in our new highly restricted DIA zone?