 However, the 7-0 vote to
issue a letter of interest in selling city property to the developer
did not come without a few reservations from one council member.
Brinshore first appeared before the city council last week, asking
for the letter of interest. The president of the company, Richard
Sciortino, spoke at length about the development company and the
success they have enjoyed with apartment complexes located in close
proximity to Wal-Mart stores.
He asked that the city issue a letter of interest he could
include in a pre-application package to the IHDA for financing the
project. He said the pre-application needed to be filed in March,
and he was relatively certain IHDA would approve it.
Once that happens, then Brinshore will have to put together a
formal application, which would include studies of the area and a
more solid commitment from the city to sell the property.
The property in question is 5 of 27 acres directly behind
the Wal-Mart Supercenter and adjacent to the Lincoln Futbol Club complex. Sciortino said last week his development would cost the
club one junior soccer field, but his plan also included some
parking areas that could be used by the club. He indicated he had
spoken with a club representative and they were OK with the changes.
This week, Mayor Keith Snyder began by going through some of the
items on a question-and-answer sheet he had presented to Sciortino.
Among the questions: Would local contractors and vendors be used
for the build? Sciortino answered that yes, they would be encouraged
to bid on the project. In addition, he said the on-site manager
would be hired according to experience and could also be a local
person.
The Q-and-A asked about maintaining the property, and Sciortino
indicated the company would be responsible for property maintenance
for at least 15 years.
The final question Snyder reviewed with the council asked how
Brinshore would respond to those who have heard about the project
and are concerned about the overall impact to the community.
Sciortino responded that people had a right to be skeptical of
these types of projects as many are not properly managed. He said,
however, that Brinshore takes pride in their properties and will not
let the city or the community down.
When it came time for a motion, Alderman David Wilmert moved to
approve the letter of interest along with an appraisal of the
property that will be needed for the next step in Brinshore's
application process. Alderwoman Melody Anderson offered the second.
During discussion, Alderwoman Marty Neitzel said she would prefer
to hold off on the vote for the time being.
She said she was concerned about the type of development this
would be and wondered if the city should put together a group to go
and visit some of the existing developments owned by Brinshore.
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She also noted the cost to the Lincoln Futbol Club. She said the
city had given the club the use of the land because of the economic
opportunities it would bring to the city. She said she didn't want
to hinder their work with this project.
In addition, she noted that many times developments for
low-income families end up getting torn up and looking bad.
She concluded by saying, "I'm just apprehensive about this."
Snyder said the city could go look at other properties if they
wished. But it was something that could be done later.
He explained that once Brinshore gets the OK to go ahead with
their formal application to IHDA, there are a good many details that
will have to be worked out before the city sells the land.
He noted that city attorney Bill Bates is already having
conversations regarding Wal-Mart. Bates has talked to two real
estate agents and has told Snyder there was an initial push-back
from Wal-Mart because the ground is currently zoned for commercial
or industrial, which was a part of the original covenant agreement
with the retailer.
Snyder also noted that Brinshore, while taking away one soccer
field, is also going to provide some parking for the club. He said
the club has a meeting scheduled in the near future and will discuss
all of this then.
Snyder concluded by saying he wants this project to be a win-win
for the city and the club.
When the issue came to vote, Neitzel did vote in favor along with
the six other aldermen present. Aldermen David Armbrust, Buzz Busby
and Tom O'Donohue were absent for the evening.
[By NILA SMITH]
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