MY TURN: ignite cda and Atlas Mill
Lynn Fleming
The ignite cda pledge, “We Want What You Want,” was holding its own on the urban renewal districts for the lake and river. We certainly received a balance of public and private business related boosts throughout high profile areas serving tourists, taxpaying citizens and businesses alike. Multiple developers and entities showed up to build the wide-ranging visions.
Perhaps these successes went to the head of both the city and ignite cda. Identifying the “blighted“ Atlas Mill site as needing their attention, even while blighted areas have many already existing streets and infrastructure all over our city. Atlas Mill visioning was way more glitzy than down and dirty real urban renewal. Multiple capable developers had passed on the 50 acres of debris that could have remained dormant until the time was right. Instead the city and ignite cda turned into developers with a $9 million buy. It was a way to get waterfront improvements that we appreciate and sewer connections from the west. At what cost? Our sewer district loaned the Atlas works $8 million. What was never assembled was a full budget projection, competitive bids and payoff plan on such a complex purchase and development to shovel-ready lots. According to ignite cda, its topmost goal now is to (desperately) repay the debt, before all else.
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