[Vision2020] Alturas

Wed, 8 Oct 2003 08:55:52 -0700

The bonds will be retired in 2015.  The businesses in Alturas do pay taxes -
those taxes are used to retire the bonds.  Economic benefit cannot be
defined purely by property taxes paid - if that were the case, the
University of Idaho, Gritman Medical Center, etc. would have no economic
benefit.

I believe there is a false notion that no business growth means no growth or
sprawl for Moscow.  That is not true.  Moscow has seen a tremendous growth
in residential units.  The great quality of life that brought me here, will
continue to bring others.  Residential growth alone cannot support a city's
tax base - business development is necessary to generate property taxes and
jobs that support the local economy.  If you look at the wonderful
festivals, arts events, etc. in Moscow - most have local businesses as their
major sponsors.  Without businesses many of the activities that contribute
to our great quality of life would not exist.

Moscow cannot provide economic opportunity for all its citizens without
business growth.  If you review the UI economic impact study, you will see
that the third highest economic force on our economy is money from outside
Moscow/Pullman - this does not include UI and WSU funds or Federal Funds and
transfer Payments (welfare, social security, retirement, etc.) We are a
bedroom community, and as with all bedroom communities, residential property
taxes will continue to climb to pay for services.

Barbara Richardson Crouch
Latah Economic Development Council
121 Sweet Ave.
Moscow, Idaho 83843
(208) 885-2832
(208) 885-3803 (fax)
edc@moscow.com
www.moscow.com/edc

-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-admin@moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-admin@moscow.com]On
Behalf Of B. J. Swanson
Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2003 8:22 AM
To: John Danahy; 'Vision2020'
Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Alturas

In a dream world, a private developer would have done Alturas Park.  The
Economic Development Council had that same dream in the early 1990's.  In
the real world, after two years of trying, the EDC realized that would never
happen.  Pullman, Lewiston, Orofino and other small communities came to the
same realization.  Small communities with a need for high paying jobs and a
diversified economy but without the population base, interstate highway,
airport, other private businesses, etc., to make it happen.  All realized
that in exchange for a Port District or an Urban Renewal Agency, jobs and
diversity could be achieved.  Alturas Park has made 80 jobs and $3.5 million
in salaries happen.

B. J. Swanson

-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-admin@moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-admin@moscow.com]On
Behalf Of John Danahy
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 5:04 PM
To: 'Vision2020'
Subject: RE: [Vision2020] Alturas

The Alturas Park was an interesting experiment that has not really fulfilled
expectations.  As such, it is not possible to either abandon the park or
return to a failed idea of what should have been.  However, neither should
it continue in its current incarnation.  The time is coming quickly when the
bonds for development will be paid off, and as such, the best approach is to
recognize it is time for the city to get out of the RTO development
business.  I suggest we simply allow the park to "go private".  The park
should pay taxes just as any other business venture.

John

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_____________________________________________________
 List services made available by First Step Internet,
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               http://www.fsr.net
          mailto:Vision2020@moscow.com
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////

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