Comments on: Secret City Land Deals Explained On Map

By: Many wonder if for the China Electric Bus Company ?

Many wonder if for the China Electric Bus Company ? — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 06:44:48 +0000

Just Curious

EDITOR NOTE–We hear not, but our secret government won’t discuss it.

By: Rod in SE Boise

Rod in SE Boise — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:21:29 +0000

JJ,

As a small business owner, it sounds like you have more issues with the City of Boise (or State of Idaho) than you do with the Federal government. Is that correct?

I’m not a small business owner. I feel like I get something for the dollars I send to the Federal Government, but I feel like I get NOTHING from the state or city (except laws restricting my freedom) and I send them almost as much money.

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 23:05:44 +0000

I think a lot of what goes on is connected to CCDC (urban renewal)and their wide powers granted by the Idaho Legislature. They may come in with an initial plan but it soon becomes Whack-a-mole throwing huge amounts of money at pop-up targets. There is no oversight by taxpayers of CCDC and other Urban Renewal Agencies statewide. Last year nearly $50million was taken in and spent by all the Urban Renewal agencies in the state.

Is it any wonder virtually every developer and project wants a handout of cash. None of them want to stand on their own merits. Cities where UR districts exist are delighted to hand out cash and perks to developers and every single taxpayer in the counties where these pork agencies exist get stuck paying for Urban Renewal projects. It is one of the least understood ponzi schemes invented by the Idaho Legislature.

By: JJ

JJ — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:24:59 +0000

Correction Rod–the city’s coziness is only with big business. Trying developing a business for under $200K like a mom and pop cafe, and see if the city offers any help. I have 4 such businesses in 3 different jurisdictions and have only ever seen the city or county as an obstacle and cost to doing a new business. In one city I pay a tax for every fork, knife, spoon, pot, pan, tupperware, bowl, plate, etc. About 35 cents each but a ridiculous waste of time. I would like to open a 5th location, but even the thought of having to deal with the city and ACHD is a nightmare so I sit on the sidelines and look for opportunities elsewhere.

By: Rod in SE Boise

Rod in SE Boise — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 20:55:22 +0000

Regardless of the merits or lack of merits of the land deal, the City of Boise’s secrecy needs to be ended. The City of Boise’s coziness with business interests needs to be ended. The City of Boise’s authority to restrict the freedom of the citizens needs to be drastically reduced. (And of course, corporations and businesses are not citizens, nor “persons”) The City of Boise should be limited to stopping people from running red lights, stealing from each other, and keeping the neighbors from painting their house purple or orange – and not much else. We need a lot more freedom here in the home of the brave and the land of the free.

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:52:05 +0000

The property does not have to go to auction. Here is how it works…if I have it right the property is appraised by a certified appraiser they try to sell it and if, after a reasonable amount of time it does not sell they can auction it off to the highest bidder. They can specify a reserve amount as a part of the auction.

Zoning,landscape and design review regulations are plenty to assure decent projects and Boise has all of that.

EDITOR NOTE–They don’t even have to appraise it. The value can be established by agreement. I.C. 50-1402

By: Laura B

Laura B — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 19:55:13 +0000

So, let me get this right? You are opposed to economic development and a development that would keep the aesthetics of the neighborhood that will bring jobs? Really?

Cynthia Sewell wrote in her Idaho Statesman article:
“….basically, the city wants to control who owns the properties, and how they’re developed. In essence, the city has more control over swaps than over sales.
In a public auction, the highest bidder walks away with the property. In an exchange, the city gets to pick who it works with. The city prefers developers with immediate plans that will translate into jobs and taxes over speculators who would hold the land to develop later, said Jade Riley, the mayor’s chief of staff.”

If the property simply went to auction and just any developer purchased it, what say would the City or the neighbors have on what is built or when? Not much if that project met city guidelines and code.

I would prefer a developer that has the neighborhood in mind and I happen to know for a fact that a developer with the neighborhood in mind was exactly what the City of Boise preferred.

Cut the crap about secrecy. The City of Boise has been looking for just the right developer with the neighborhood in mind for a decade. Commend them!