Centerville Gets New Public Works Site
*As noted by one resident, there is visible damage to the original public works building that was never addressed.
Staff Writer: Debra Neutkens,
Quad Press
Published: Tuesday, July 17, 2007
CENTERVILLE - City snowplows and trucks will all be stored inside at a new public works facility approved by the City Council July 11.
Members authorized purchase of land and a building at 2085 Cedar St. for $1.4 million, a deal that will close this November.
In the meantime, current owner Dennis Shudy will be making improvements to the 2-year-old facility, according to the city's needs. A $288,000 escrow fund was created to help Shudy pay for improvements as they're completed.
Centerville resident Tom Wilharber asked the council why the current public works facility couldn't be renovated, adding he was approached by other citizens about the purchase who questioned how saleable the property was with a water tower.
The current public works property is valued at about $400,000, the sale of which will go towards purchase of the Cedar Street site. The city has another $400,000 set aside for a new facility and the balance, about $600,000, will be borrowed from the sewer and water fund - essentially an internal loan, which will be paid back with interest.
When Wilharber asked how much debt Centerville currently carries, City Administrator Dallas Larson said about $4 million.
Wow! How did we jump from a $4 million debt to the current $8 million debt in one year? Also, if the City had already been approached by a potential buyer, why has the original public works building not sold? What was the mindset behind spending all that money while saving nothing for road maintenance? Our current council refuses to look back at previously made decisions yet is determined to move forward, full steam ahead with the revitalization project. History is a Great Teacher. Those that fail to learn from it are doomed to repeat it.
9 comments:
I want to know who is going to buy an old public works building priced at 400,000, when the south side of the building is located about four feet BELOW street level and if you look around the bottom of the building does any one notice about a foot of water damage on the walls!! That's just looking at it from the outside. Now who did we say was going to buy this gem??
Being approached is not the same as having an offer on the table. The current council is reckless and has not been held accountable until now. Pleas keep this blog up after the election.
Bet you the first building is not worth 400K anymore, if it ever was.
Too bad I can't just go buy a second house I don't need and can't afford because I don't like the one I live in and it needs repair. Oh that's right, I don't have other peoples money to spend like a drunken soldier!
How DID we jump 4 mil in debt in one year? Something does not smell right about this.
The city will have to fix the old building to sell it or sell it at bargain prices. Maybe the land is worth 400,000? Has anyone checked?
But still, it makes no sense when you also have a city water tower on the land. Why wouldn't the city fix the old building and use it? I am so confused. Sounds like a quick fix.
Personally, I choose to make better financial decisions in my household so no governmental agency will have to bail me out. Now to change local government spending so that perhaps good fiscal responsibility can effect upward to even higher government agencies.
Peace.
We were probably in further debt last year but nobody called them on it until now.
You would NEVER buy a new house and move into it before you had sold your first house. Why is the original building not being rented and generating some income for the City? Maybe because it is uninhabitable or unsuitable for business.
I want to know the name of the "potential buyer" that Capra said existed. What happened to the sale? What a bunch of s#(t!
We have all been complacent until now and we have all allowed this City to be driven into the ditch. The financial situation is a mess because they have not been held accountable.
They have been busy decorating on our dime.
Thank God, people are finally starting to wake up!
I've learned my lesson. Vote out the current council and take back the City by electing people that actually care!
History is indeed the Great Teacher.
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