woodiewood said:

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Bob Yancy said:

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AggiePhil said:

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Bob Yancy said:

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We are building a new $40 million dollar Public Works facility that I oppose.

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Hi, Bob. Where is this being built?

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Looking for sites currently.

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Haven't looked at it, but would there not be enough land to expand facilities on the 47 1/2 acres of city owned land off of Graham road?

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As one member of council, I don't think we need a new Public Works headquarters. We need a new and greater capacity motor depot building(s) and some renovations. $40 million is an awful lot of money. We're basically starting over from scratch, possibly location and all, and I disagree with that.

We do need to invest in our people in public works to address turnover in that department. Those folks work hard and keep the trains running on time.

Respectfully

Yancy

The waste management folks are probably the hardest-working people employed with the city. Especially the bulk pickup guy in my neighborhood. He is always pleasant and friendly and he has to get out of the truck and pick up the items.

MsDoubleD81 said:

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The waste management folks are probably the hardest-working people employed with the city. Especially the bulk pickup guy in my neighborhood. He is always pleasant and friendly and he has to get out of the truck and pick up the items.

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Amen to that, and thanks for the comments.

Bob Yancy said:

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woodiewood said:

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Bob Yancy said:

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AggiePhil said:

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Bob Yancy said:

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We are building a new $40 million dollar Public Works facility that I oppose.

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Hi, Bob. Where is this being built?

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Looking for sites currently.

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Haven't looked at it, but would there not be enough land to expand facilities on the 47 1/2 acres of city owned land off of Graham road?

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As one member of council, I don't think we need a new Public Works headquarters. We need a new and greater capacity motor depot building(s) and some renovations. $40 million is an awful lot of money. We're basically starting over from scratch, possibly location and all, and I disagree with that.

We do need to invest in our people in public works to address turnover in that department. Those folks work hard and keep the trains running on time.

Respectfully

Yancy

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I agree. It appears to some leaders that if you need something, build it new rather than renovate or add onto what you already have. It is too easy to throw OPM at a need and not consider decision in terms of the objective.

The city doesn't need "new" everytime it has equipment or facility needs.

I worked for A&M for many years and when considering purchases I tried to always think, Is it needed, is it the best use of our money, and are there other less costly ways to get the job done w/o purchasing.



I agree on the investment in people rather than facilities and equipment. Many managers don't realize that the human value of a business is as, or even more, valuable to the success of the business as the facilities.

Harry's 2.0 or Mall of Fame/Flame

They're all sad malls. Like ours.

Well now you go on the radio and say we can put 20 pickleball courts in the area and the mall needs foot traffic and CBL has been so good for the community I guess this has turned into a humanitarian effort

I still have not seen the monthly cost you said you would provide now we will have new construction costs

As I have asked before if this was your or my money, we would have cut our losses long ago I guess when it is other people's money it works different

happyinBCS said:

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Well now you go on the radio and say we can put 20 pickleball courts in the area and the mall needs foot traffic and CBL has been so good for the community I guess this has turned into a humanitarian effort

I still have not seen the monthly cost you said you would provide now we will have new construction costs

As I have asked before if this was your or my money, we would have cut our losses long ago I guess when it is other people's money it works different

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I am one member of council. An activity center with pickleball is just one option. I'm advocating we look at it, which was why I brought it up on this thread.

Just trying to gain citizen feedback. Looking for ideas.

Respectfully yours

Yancy

Perhaps it's long past time we did a small area plan for the Post Oak Mall / Wolf Pen Creek area, just as we're doing now for Northgate. The meeting was packed last night. Staff did a great job and people were very positively engaged. I think folks are hungry for more transparency and meaningful participation in their local government.

Respectfully,

Bob Y

The new S&W building is finished right down the highway from the Deadhorse the City owns I think it was a 68-million-dollar project but unfortunately the city does not get a dime of tax revenue. This is the private sector in action, and it works great, when a city buys property that they have no business even looking at then you have millions of other people's money wasted, what a shame with no accountability

I want to make sure, is one of the items near the top of your list of ideas "Sell the property?"

Brian Alg said:

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I want to make sure, is one of the items near the top of your list of ideas "Sell the property?"

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That would be #1.

As you've probably surmised, the thought of losing significant taxpayer dollars on a speculative real estate transaction is abhorrent to me. Thus this original post. I'm seeking solutions, of which an activity center with pickleball, et al, is only possibly one.

I know you're going to disagree with this, but consider the following if you would:

The replacement cost for a city to build an 8 acre facility with a 100,000 square foot, conditioned space building, would be astronomical. Approximately $50,000,000.

IF, and that's a big IF, a public good use could be found that wasn't conjured or contrived, but actually needed, the investment could be saved.

If not, then selling it and taking the hit and giving it back to the private sector where it belongs is the only solution.

What I know for certain- it is NOT a buy and hold like a tract in a business park of undeveloped land.

Allowing it to sit empty only hastens the mall's challenges when the mall may not otherwise actually be at end of life.

Murdoch's is a damn fine store and the mall is doing well. Those tenants do not deserve their investments being put at risk by a local government.

I'll be moving to add it to the agenda soon. A use must be found, or the property must be sold.

Respectfully,

Yancy

Forward looking is difficult without accountability.

Bob Yancy said:

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Brian Alg said:

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I want to make sure, is one of the items near the top of your list of ideas "Sell the property?"

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That would be #1.

As you've probably surmised, the thought of losing significant taxpayer dollars on a speculative real estate transaction is abhorrent to me.

If not, then selling it and taking the hit and giving it back to the private sector where it belongs is the only solution.

Respectfully,

Yancy

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Taxpayer dollars on speculative real estate transaction/endeavor being abhorrent.

Keep these types of things in private sector where they belong.

That mindset and approach to decision making like this is what we the people want. We need that mindset and approach to be rampant among City Staff, Council, and City Mayor and City Manager regarding decisions like this.

Staff, Mayor, and Manager are paid professionals - they need to act like it, especially with OPM!

Bob Yancy said:

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A use must be found, or the property must be sold.

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Blue star for you. This is the only answer. And going forward, stay out of the real estate business

Massive indoor gun range!!!!

happyinBCS said:

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The new S&W building is finished right down the highway from the Deadhorse the City owns I think it was a 68-million-dollar project but unfortunately the city does not get a dime of tax revenue. This is the private sector in action, and it works great, when a city buys property that they have no business even looking at then you have millions of other people's money wasted, what a shame with no accountability

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The city caused that loss of tax revenue too when they turned down Walmart/Weingarten and had to settle the subsequent lawsuit

Wondering why Bob is the guy stuck trying to "polish this <you-know-what>" while we don't see anything from the two people that should be held accountable for it are still hanging around City Hall…

I'd think if I made that big of a blunder, I'd be working hard to rectify it. Haven't heard a peep out of the City Manager of the Mayor on the subject, besides putting it out for bids.

I think Bob is a good guy and one of the few over there willing to engage in this arena.

techno-ag said:

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I think Bob is a good guy and one of the few over there willing to engage in this arena.

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I think he's the only one willing to engage in any arena, which is a concerning problem with a council elected to represent the people.

MyNameIsJeff said:

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techno-ag said:

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I think Bob is a good guy and one of the few over there willing to engage in this arena.

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I think he's the only one willing to engage in any arena, which is a concerning problem with a council elected to represent the people.

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^^^^^These^^^^^

Y'all are too kind. Much obliged. And yes I know this is a temporary reprieve. ;-)

Have a great week!

Yancy

agnerd said:

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Quote:

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would likely be an intermediate term solution that preserves the property for potential different uses or a complete mall redevelopment in the future.

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This is why I don't completely hate it. This is the equivalent of putting a driving range on a piece of property to pay the bills while you wait for the property value to increase. We are in a mess, and Bob seems to be trying to get us out of it with as little pain as possible.

I 100% support a master plan like what's being done for Northgate. Let's have a plan before we make any more moves. Then evaluate if there's a temporary solution to get us to the master plan finish line whatever that may be.

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My concern is the reputation our City leaders have is not good at finding solutions to the self inflicted wounds.
Yes I respect Councilman Yancy for what he is doing and the job he is doing for us all. Problem is he is in the minority. The thought of the other knuckleheads continuing to dig this hole scares the heck out of me.