Eureka's Jefferson School
Not sure what to think about the City of Eureka taking over control of the old Jefferson School. Seems the two "progressives" on the Eureka City Council want to buy the property so the city can control what it's ultimately used for. The want to use redevelopment money they have stashed away to make the buy.
Despite that neighborhood being the armpit of Eureka, or at least a runner- up for it, I agree it would be nice to use the property for something else other than a housing project. Problem is, if they use it for something like, as someone has suggested, a "community center" it will end up being just one more drain on the city coffers.
Doesn't seem to me like a good idea to be starting up yet another city project when they're making supposed heavy cuts in city government and are looking at charging entrance fees at the zoo for the first time in history. If the city does end up buying that property, Eureka residents better hope whatever the property ends up being used for can pay for itself.
posted by Fred Mangels @ 9:50 AM
10 comments
10 Comments:
Are either schools in city limits? Aren't they both in Myrtletown, county jurisdiction?
They're only talking one school here. Jefferson School is between A and B Streets around the eight or nine hundred block. It's way inside the Eureka city limits.
Personally,I think that they should pursue running the Teen Center there.
Seems like the perfect plot to try out the smart growth development people talk about but that never happens. I agree that this is no time for the city to be taking on additional liability and obligations. Use redevelopment funds to stimulate economic activity rather than use the structure for an unintended purpose. I guarantee it will just end up covered in greaffiti.
we are laying off or cutting back on all personel but safety and now these idiots want to make a park that we wont be able to maintain we cant even finish the skate park and over half of that has been donated
"Redevelopment funds" come from taxes paid by Eureka taxpayers. Instead of using all of the tax money to pay the costs of running the city, the city siphons off a portion to be used for "redevelopment", AKA subsidizing the remodeling of decrepit buildings and buying up waterfront parcels (read the "Lazio" article in the the latest Journal).
Yep, I know. That's why cities love redevelopment funds. It's their secret stash of money they can use for their pet projects.
I say, Combine the Dog Park with the Skateboard Park! Think of all the advantages! Yes. Just think.
What happened to the "Fisherman's Village"? There is a dock with a crane (crane funded by Headwaters grant) but nothing else after the developer backed out. Redevelopment at its best!
If the Redevelopment Agency would pay the City back for its loan (Halverson property) that is somewhere over $6 million that started off as a 90 day bridge loan then the City coffers would be fat and the utility tax could be put to sleep, but so far no one has convinced them to do this.
Fred, the many opinions and comments are across the board on this issue. Your link relates the TS article of 2008.
My humble observation of last night's City Council meeting, comments, and today's TS news link for your interested readers can be found here if they wish to know more. Thank you, Fred.
peace... skips
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