Building owners met privately last night. No media was allowed - which means no public was allowed. But I will give them this, they did contact me and explained their position.
They felt they wanted the opportunity to speak with each other all at once without it getting all over the papers. They feel more free to talk openly that way.
If it results in positive steps, then it will be worth it.
City commissioners didn't go either. They were having their work session meeting, which was open to the public.
One building owner put up coverings yesterday, that are essentially tin. They look kind of nice actually.
However, city commissioners were not amused. They felt that the building owner did not act in good faith. Scott wanted to go ahead and pass some form of the ordinance. Doubt they will tonight, but, it could get interesting from this point.
The building owner was getting ready to do it anyway, but had said the order was canceled because of the proposed ordinance. So the commissioners were surprised to see it go up.
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19 comments:
Wow! How about giving the ol' finger to the commission.
That doesn't really give much confidence that the building owners will come up with a solution the commission will like.
Although, in their defense it has said repeatedly in the Traveler that they had the proper permission/permits to put the tin on the windows. I would be pretty ticked off if I had to change my plans AFTER they were approved.
I am just wondering if anyone has gotten an actual quote on how much it will cost to replace the windows. Traveler - it might be an interesting story to compare/contrast some of the options and the different pricing involved...
Let me see if I understand this correctly.
"They feel more free to talk openly that way"
I think that the KKK feels the same way.
If something is going to reflect directly on the city, and or will in the end wind up using tax monies, whether it be by direct funding, or subsidies, it should be open to the public, and should have public input.
The building owner who put up the tin is going to do what, when the ordinance is passed, and it is prohibited. I think the permit if there was one issued should have been rescinded.
Just another business owner who is telling the city to buggger off.
Commissioners get off your duff, it is time to get this taken care of one way or the other.
The downtown building owners are like a bunch of preschoolers, they need direction and supervision, or they run willy-nilly, and out of control. Don't believe it, take a good look at downtown.
It is proven that they can't be responsible in their own right, if so, this ordinance would be a moot subject.
Scott to pass "some form" of an ordinance is like being "some form" of pregnant. Your are or you aren't.
Do it or not, but do something.
It is their right to speak privately about their plans. This gave them the option to plan to do anything, not just what the public and the Commission wanted them to do.
It is obvious that they think that if they hurry up and get all the crap installed that the Commission will not have the confidence or will to make them remove it. I hope they are wrong.
They were on notice that the ordinance was coming and that any installation of non-window coverings were in jeopardy of being wasted money and effort. This should be taken as an answer to the question of if the building owners were going to co-operate.
The Commission should rule that all window coverings be made to comply with either glass window standards or blended into the surrounding walls. And they should make it retroactive.
Tax incentive districts to fund repairs on windows? To hell with them. It was the building owners' decision to oppose compromise, so let them live with the results of "no give and take".
"anyone has gotten an actual quote on how much it will cost to replace the windows."
A friend of mine in Newkirk who just had it done in a hundred year old sandstone bank building (about 6 months ago) said about $200.00 per window.
It has been talked about some.
Prices have been mentioned.
Sybrant said 400-500 a window.
scott said he got estimates around 200
Why would anyone believe Sybrant?
He thinks that throwing out a big number will make the people feel sorry for him, and make his position have some validity.
Hog wash! Everyone knows that if you have one window replaced, it will cost more than if you have 20 replaced, that is cost per item of course.
hawk: passing "some form" of ordinance means nothing but glass from this point forward to avert further tin
I agree with the post below completely. This is exactly what needs to happen if the business-owner's committee doesn't come up with a plan that goes far enough. It is okay to wait a little bit longer as long as the commission is willing to go retroactive if someone puts up something less than adequate in the meantime. If we have waited 40 years, what is another month? I think the commission should be willing to do that regardless if schmidts decide to pick up and leave town. you got to pay to play!
"They were on notice that the ordinance was coming and that any installation of non-window coverings were in jeopardy of being wasted money and effort. This should be taken as an answer to the question of if the building owners were going to co-operate.
The Commission should rule that all window coverings be made to comply with either glass window standards or blended into the surrounding walls. And they should make it retroactive."
I actually saw that yesterday.. It was on the side street of summit.. I thought to myself- What the heck are they doing. Anyways glad to see others saw it too. My question is- If the owners have to put up windows then can make the McDonalds book store take dow their vacum off the side of the building?
Ok, I agree with cleaning up downtown. However, we all must remember this day when it turns on us. If these ordinances go from windows to something else and then another (which will continue to effect our pocket books), I hope we are not the ones crying.
I believe that downtown represents our whole city. This is why I support the commission on this one. However, I'm not sure I want city government telling me what is and what isn't acceptable on my home. I think my home is nice, but who's to say someone else has a different opinion. Am I a hypocrit here?
However, I'm not sure I want city government telling me what is and what isn't acceptable on my home.
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I understand that sentiment.
If everyone took care of their property, everything would be good and there would be no need for rules.,
but since some dont, and create problems for the rest of us, the only real solution is to come up with some rules.
Nothing wrong with the government making the rules when necessary. If they make the wrong rules they will be voted out at the next election and the new government can fix it.
I'm just sad it has taken this long for the government to step in and fix the decay in our town. Please don't stop with windows!
Did the Schmidts participate in any of the windows meetings before deciding to put metal in their windows? How are they working with the downtown committee? Is this what we should expect from them as a group?
schmidts were at all 3 meetings
This is from an article published today!
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.
com/Investing/JubaksJournal/USMust
BuildItsWayOutofDebt.aspx
"Second, investing in infrastructure creates a competitive advantage that sucks business and jobs into a local, regional or national economy."
Its a good article! Read it!
If I understand this right, the Schmidts were at the first city commission meeting on windows and said they had cancelled their plan to put tin windows up. Then attended the meetings afterward and decided to do it anyway. This would suggest that they either are snubbing the commission, or got a not from them. Is this why not all of the commissioners were aware of the last meeting? It looks like the 3 amigos have made up their mind on this issue and have it under control, just like they did with Lowe's. We should see something good for the city, not something good for the downtown businesses (and their flunkies!)
This would suggest that they either are snubbing the commission, or got a not from them. Is this why not all of the commissioners were aware of the last meeting?
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City commissioners felt the were snubbed. THey were as surprised as anyone.
That's what happens when you let local business govern the city.
I can't see any other way it's going to happen, they will tell the city what they will and won't do and the commission can just pound sand.
I would be hard pressed not to sue the pants off the city, if they let the business owners get away with this scam and then tell me I have to make repairs to my home because it doesn't meet their approval.
Better get it together Ark City, you are a commission, or just a dog and pony show for the downtown building owners.
They will likely either gain or lose a lot of respectability at the next meeting.
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