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Reg Pasco

Question isn't if, but how, to save Main Street project

By CBOWENN
Published June 27, 2006

I ask the members of the New Port Richey City Council to reconsider their decision against allowing the filing of an application of a Community Development District by the developers of Main Street Landing.

On the premise that Main Street Landing is a project worth saving and sensing the angst the council must have felt in a close 3-2 vote, the real issue here is not whether to save Main Street Landing. Rather, the issue is how to save Main Street Landing. If this is indeed the case, would it be wise to limit options at this time by denying the developers a simple act of filing an application? To do so would be shortsighted and do nothing more than fuel an impending real estate bust.

Keeping the CDD option on the table as well as thoughtfully debating other various forms of possible solutions on how to save Main Street Landing would be the best way to avoid risking a decision which would leave an eye sore at the city's entrance instead of a crown jewel. It would also avoid risking torpedoing all of the staff's hard work and redevelopment efforts thus far, which include other projects which now may not materialize as a result of the decision.

In the short term, the council is merely authorizing the city to collect a $15,000 fee and leave the issue open for future consideration. In the long term, however, reconsideration of such a decision could lead to productive discussions and a possible solution that would leave behind a legacy that would benefit future generations of residents to come.

If the council believes it owes it to its residents to keep its options open, roll up its sleeves and work together to find a solution, then in the face of a difficult decision it should have the courage, patience and understanding to stick with its guns and see this worthwhile project through to its completion.

It is difficult decisions like this made at the darkest, most difficult moments in a city's history which I believe will be determinative in whether New Port Richey "just another city" or whether it will eventually grow to become the great city we all know it can be.

Chuck Kalogianis, New Port Richey

Look to past for development plan

Peter Altman and associates have their cart before their horse with the Main Street Landing project.

My fourth great-grandfather came to Florida during the Spanish period and became Florida's first millionaire. What he did was identify needs and organize community-minded citizens to invest in his ventures. He built the first railroad in Florida. He organized lumber mills and brick-kilns. He bought and sold top-quality land to new settlers. He built banks. He organized a steamship company. And he built wharves and warehouses in the coastal communities.

He did all he did with his own money and the money of his partners. They used no public funds and made no appeals for such money. In fact, he did just the opposite. When Duval County needed help building its courthouse he donated the land. He was involved in several public improvement works that relied entirely on private contributions.

Benjamin Chaires simply looked for unmet needs and took care of the problem himself, along with other civic-minded people. And he became rich doing it.

This is how you do it.

James B. Johnson, Port Richey

Nice little town has been ruined

I have lived here for 38 years, and visited my uncle who lived here in the 1950s. I remember when Main Street was made four lanes by necessity. It is now an obstacle course with the island as a safety hazard. We never needed the coffins no one sits on, the gazebo no one uses, or wanted. A shuffle board court which was there for 60 years is gone for no apparent reason.

That may have been done after Mr. Peter Altman's term as mayor but was unnecessary. On the corner of Gulf Boulevard and U.S. 19, Doc's Towers, which was a landmark was taken down only to be turned into a store and then a car lot.

As far as I am concerned, Mr. Altman ruined a nice little town to make it something it would never become: the Daytona of the west coast and a city for the rich. "Mess" is not the word for it. Thank you, Mr. Altman.

Kenneth A. Savio, Port Richey

Editor's note: A private property owner demolished Doc's Tower in 1983 prior to Peter Altman's joining New Port Richey City Council.

Column hit revitalization nail on head

Re: Slamming the brakes on downtown revitalization, June 25 C.T. Bowen column

Your column was right on the money. Had I been elected to the council in April, I would have voted along with Ginny Miller and Dan Tipton.

Mr. Lackey's vote was no surprise. Mr. McCaffery I just can't figure out. The one who really surprised me, as she did you, is Marilynn deChant. Her comment about "Tampa is Tampa and New Port Richey is New Port Richey" is so unlike her.

At the candidates' forum prior to the election, in a closing statement, I commented that my vision was for New Port Richey to become the next Dunedin. In his closing statement, Mr. McCaffery said with a chuckle and a smirk that he "doesn't want to become the next Dunedin. He wants to be New Port Richey."

Guess he got his wish.

Frank Ferreri, New Port Richey

Council meeting was unbelievable

As a long time resident and businessman of New Port Richey I watched in disbelief as some members of the New Port Richey City Council questioned motives, abilities and character of two proven redevelopers, Ken and Linda McGurn.

What have council people Thomas Lackey, Marilynn deChant and Matthew McCaffery done? Tax increment financing is to be used for projects exactly like the Main Street Landing. This project has already had a positive impact on our town. It has attracted attention and investors from all over and driven property values to new highs in our formerly grim downtown. This is a very important property. It is the cornerstone of major downtown redevelopment.

The impact of Main Street Landing on New Port Richey cannot just be measured in money. It's also the catalyst for other investment and it's crucial to work with the developers, not just close the door and walk away.

After the meeting I had the opportunity to speak at length with council member deChant. Her reasons given to me for her vote against the Main Street Landing were that the project was too complex and there was too much paperwork for her to go through. So she basically made her decision on her feelings. When asked to explain some of the simpler charts and graphs pertaining to the project deChant couldn't explain them! A vote on a $30-million project cannot be decided upon an indecisive whim.

Let us remove council member deChant from office and replace her with someone who will read and understand the paperwork. This type of performance is the same reason she left her job as director of the Downtown Cooperative in the past.

I also would like to make an apology to Ken and Linda McGurn for the rude and abusive treatment they received at our council meeting. The actions taken by Councilman Lackey were terribly wrong and do not represent the majority of the people of out town.

Ray Rossi, New Port Richey

Debts would rest with residents

The June 22 picture of Peter Altman was uncalled for. Your paper seems to think the city should have loaned the money. You also seem not to understand if we give them money, down the line if the city needs bonds, we will not get them or get them with a very high interest. Then this will be on the citizens' shoulders.

So many things have been done that cost a lot of money to beautify the city and none worked: Buying the Grey Preserve, buying and moving a church loaded with termites, Cavalier Square Park with the water wall, buying the Hacienda Hotel that now is in limbo, and wanting to build a railway square on Nebraska Avenue. Why? None of these things will be bringing in the tourists. Not even the beautiful murals on the buildings will do that. None of these are calling cards.

Main Street Landing sounded good, but the stores and condos will be so costly and out of reach. If I could afford to buy a condo at these prices, I'd buy where the scenery was more pleasant, and the beaches more pristine. The city of 15 or 20 years ago is what made us want to buy here, it was so serene. The city had little or no debt and the officials listened to the people.

Ann Bully, New Port Richey

[Last modified June 27, 2006, 11:34:50]