SIDEWALKS A HAZARD AT FORMER CITY HALL
Sidewalks torn out during the re-purposing of Independence’s former city hall will be paved under a plan that uses the $300,000 pledged as a rebate to the developer – now being forfeited in order to restore the walkways.
“It’s in a state of disrepair,” said City Manager Tom Pessemier. “I have determined that I believe it’s a hazard,” he said.
The funds, which were set aside in the city’s General Fund, provided an incentive for a buyer to purchase the property, which is still under reconstruction. The money would have been given the developer, Chuck Sides, once the refurbishment was complete. Instead, it will now be used for sidewalks there, according to a special resolution passed by the city council Tuesday night.
Mr. Sides, who was in the audience, was asked by Mayor John McArdle if he had anything to say. The developer said he concurred with the decision. After the meeting, he agreed it was a “lot of money” to lose, but “negotiations” with the city will continue, he said.
The old city hall is at the corner of Monmouth Avenue and Second Street.
Sidewalks torn out during the re-purposing of Independence’s former city hall will be paved under a plan that uses the $300,000 pledged as a rebate to the developer – now being forfeited in order to restore the walkways.
“It’s in a state of disrepair,” said City Manager Tom Pessemier. “I have determined that I believe it’s a hazard,” he said.
The funds, which were set aside in the city’s General Fund, provided an incentive for a buyer to purchase the property, which is still under reconstruction. The money would have been given the developer, Chuck Sides, once the refurbishment was complete. Instead, it will now be used for sidewalks there, according to a special resolution passed by the city council Tuesday night.
Mr. Sides, who was in the audience, was asked by Mayor John McArdle if he had anything to say. The developer said he concurred with the decision. After the meeting, he agreed it was a “lot of money” to lose, but “negotiations” with the city will continue, he said.
The old city hall is at the corner of Monmouth Avenue and Second Street.
UPDATE
The Heritage Museum will have a new home in a recently vacated building at the corner of Second and C streets, a longtime spot for antique vendors. The purchase money for the property will largely come from the sale of other city-owned real estate – marking the first time in nearly a decade that the city has generated its own funds to buy needed space.
The money will come from the sale of the old museum site, a former church, and two lots given by Boise Cascade to the city nearly a dozen years ago, according to City Manager Tom Pessemier. The proposal was approved in a four-to-two vote by the city council. (See editorial commentary at end of this Linking Letter addressing recent changes.)
The Heritage Museum will have a new home in a recently vacated building at the corner of Second and C streets, a longtime spot for antique vendors. The purchase money for the property will largely come from the sale of other city-owned real estate – marking the first time in nearly a decade that the city has generated its own funds to buy needed space.
The money will come from the sale of the old museum site, a former church, and two lots given by Boise Cascade to the city nearly a dozen years ago, according to City Manager Tom Pessemier. The proposal was approved in a four-to-two vote by the city council. (See editorial commentary at end of this Linking Letter addressing recent changes.)
IN BRIEF
The need for upgrades to wastewater pipes, pumps and plans have pushed loans for the project past $10 million – but the steps are necessary as city growth continues to put pressure on the aging system, according to presentations at Tuesday night’s city council meeting. A second phase of the Liberty development will mean 30 more homes west of 7thStreet -- and apartment construction is expected to start soon at Independence Landing. (Wastewater improvements and the revenue needed for them are covered in the September issue of The Independent.)
The need for upgrades to wastewater pipes, pumps and plans have pushed loans for the project past $10 million – but the steps are necessary as city growth continues to put pressure on the aging system, according to presentations at Tuesday night’s city council meeting. A second phase of the Liberty development will mean 30 more homes west of 7thStreet -- and apartment construction is expected to start soon at Independence Landing. (Wastewater improvements and the revenue needed for them are covered in the September issue of The Independent.)
COMING UP
The Independence Hotel will begin taking room reservations in mid-September, staff there confirmed this week. During a “soft opening” last week, the restaurant and bar were opened; some rooms were occupied for a few days by a visiting group from the US Department of Agriculture.
The Independence Hotel will begin taking room reservations in mid-September, staff there confirmed this week. During a “soft opening” last week, the restaurant and bar were opened; some rooms were occupied for a few days by a visiting group from the US Department of Agriculture.
EDITORIAL COMMENTARY
The first sign that the times they are a-changin’, to borrow a famous line from Bob Dylan, came at perhaps the least expected place at the Civic Center. For the past few years, the city’s planning commission seems to have been given directions along with documents, from code changes to development plans.
Not any more. It’s so collaborative now that it’s downright surprising nobody is sending out for pizza or breaking out a guitar. But as a new spirit of joint decision-making ascends, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that all hands are on deck. One member’s absence has been fairly routine; A vacant spot seems to have been viewed with complacency. The chair has expressed concern that if any of the members have to miss a meeting, a quorum is threatened.
The way to treat these commissioners right is to ease their worry – with new recruits. It can’t be that hard. After all, several citizens predicted that nothing ever happens at the city without another loan – that you-know-what would have to freeze over first. Well, some flames became icicles Tuesday night – the new administration is set to sell some city real estate to finance a new museum site. And to think Independence simply could have floated another bond… -Anne Scheck
The first sign that the times they are a-changin’, to borrow a famous line from Bob Dylan, came at perhaps the least expected place at the Civic Center. For the past few years, the city’s planning commission seems to have been given directions along with documents, from code changes to development plans.
Not any more. It’s so collaborative now that it’s downright surprising nobody is sending out for pizza or breaking out a guitar. But as a new spirit of joint decision-making ascends, it becomes increasingly important to ensure that all hands are on deck. One member’s absence has been fairly routine; A vacant spot seems to have been viewed with complacency. The chair has expressed concern that if any of the members have to miss a meeting, a quorum is threatened.
The way to treat these commissioners right is to ease their worry – with new recruits. It can’t be that hard. After all, several citizens predicted that nothing ever happens at the city without another loan – that you-know-what would have to freeze over first. Well, some flames became icicles Tuesday night – the new administration is set to sell some city real estate to finance a new museum site. And to think Independence simply could have floated another bond… -Anne Scheck
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