Commissioner Ericsson exhorts us to civil, respectful, intelligent conversation. In that spirit...
Want to discuss downtown development? Got some ideas that the Madison City Commission didn't want to hear at last Monday's meeting? Then come chat with your neighbors tomorrow afternoon!
- What: Downtown Development Discussion
- When: Thursday afternoon, 4:15, for one hour, max!
- Where: Madison Public Library
- Who: I'm hosting; anyone interested in Madison's downtown development can attend.
We will discuss what Madison's downtown needs and what Madison could do to meet those needs. We will agree on the outline of a presentation on this topic to place on the agenda of the Monday, July 16 Madison City Commission meeting. The deadline for requesting a spot on that agenda is Friday morning at 11 a.m., so we need work fast and work smart—in other words, no rambly griping, just one hour of fast and furious brainstorming and community visioning!
If you have ideas for Madison's downtown, come share! If you can't make it, put your ideas here in the comment section for discussion. Either way, Madison looks forward to hearing from you!
TIF
We are gone for a week or would be at your meeting. Although we live out of town, if this thing gets passed by the city, they will come after us in the county next. Therefore, I would ask the committee to furnish the following:
1. A very detailed breakdown of the figures they used to determine this would be profitable.
2. A valid reason that a new building is necessary when there are many empty buildings in Madison that would suffice to see if this is a viable project before spending taxpayer dollars.
3. A contingency plan for what would happen to the new building if the thrift store plan fails. Who would absorb any losses? Who would end up with the building and at what cost? Etc.
4. A believable explanation of why a taxpayer funded thrift store would be, as they admitted, "good" competition for existing businesses that have paid their own way and must pay taxes etc.
5. Who is going to be supplying thrift items, what types, etc, and at what price will they be sold.
Just a few ideas. Thanks for holding a meeting!
Linda! I hope you're enjoying your trip. I'll share your questions as well as Jeremiah's TIF suggestion with the group.
And Linda reminds me that our meeting tomorrow afternoon is not limited to folks who live in the city limits. If you've got skin in the Madison game (work, property, sales tax, etc.), we welcome your ideas (just as we do in this comment section!).
Cory, it may be worth noting that 9-5ers are going to have trouble showing up for more than the end of the shindig.
Definitely worth noting. No time's perfect for everyone. 9-5 working folks, consider this comment section an ongoing and integral table at the discussion!