Walnut St. Project/SEDD Disparity

 


There was much discussion at the last Monroe city council meeting held Tuesday, June 28, 2022, when an ordinance authorizing a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement between the city of Monroe and developers of the Walnut St. Special District that would authorize the “sharing of tax increments” within the boundaries of that district. That is the project by the riverfront, where a two-block area will be converted to restaurants, a hotel, and other amenities that will spur economic developments and bring in more revenue for the city. The city, which spent $1.4 million for the vacant property on Walnut St., is currently under development, as the cooperative endeavor agreement will supposedly seal the deal with the city. At the June 28 meeting, Southside Economic Development District Executive Director Charles Theus had questions before the council concerning what he felt were fairness issues. Theus suggested potential ethics issues could arise when it came time to vote for certain projects since some council members also hold board seats. Those two council members were Council Chair (District 4) Carday Marshall and Councilman Doug Harvey (District 1). At issue was the perceived treatment extended to the developers of the Walnut St. Project in their agreement that may have put SEDD at a disadvantage when SEDD announces an economic development project of its own. Theus made it clear that he was not against the project, but what his group went through with the Ellis administration was vastly different from what the Walnut St. group encountered. Theus said there were questions that need answers, especially on the ethics issue, as there are state guidelines in place where someone who casts a voice on issues should not make an appearance of that person benefiting from such a vote. Theus said that everyone should be treated fairly when things are brought before the council. Theus gave an example of when Mayor Friday Ellis wanted to pick a project for SEDD, asking the group to name the project for which the state did not compel them to do, suggesting that there was not a level playing field between the two groups. There were also provisions within the Walnut St. Project’s Cooperative Endeavor Agreement, Theus alleges, that he felt council members should look at before a final vote is taken. He even suggested tabling the proposed ordinance before that vote is taken in order to address the issue of fairness. There also appeared to be some concerns from Council members who represent Districts 3,4, and 5, of which SEDD covers. Council Chair Marshall suggested getting something going in the Southside area along Renwick St., South Second St., and even Burg Jones Lane. District 3 Councilwoman Juanita Woods also said she is not against the project, as SEDD also had a viable plan, but she has difficulty understanding the fairness issue. The city is putting up some money towards the project, but a sum wasn’t specified. The developer was said to have invested $30 million into the project and plans to recoup their investments through the levying of a tax that Studivant argued that, as of now, the city is not getting anything as the property is vacant, bringing in zero tax dollars. She said that since the project is only a two-block project, it can, through legislation, levy a tax on the hotel and restaurants. Theus, as he addressed the ethics issue, asked if former Council member(District 1) Mike Echols, who is now a state representative for northeast Louisiana, was out of city government long enough, and if so, as a state representative, he would be one of the chief beneficiaries of the project because of his involvement in it. “That should be looked at," said Theus. “The issue is all about fairness."

In the end, Council members voted 4-1 to pass the proposed agenda issue, potentially setting up a big vote at the next council meeting on Tuesday, July 12, 2022. Council chair Marshall abstained.

 

Reader Comments(0)

 
 

Powered by ROAR Online Publication Software from Lions Light Corporation
© Copyright 2024