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March 5, 2006Parking deck foes: Let voters have a say
Downtown Traverse City, from the top of the Fifth-Third Bank Building, looking west on West Front Street. The development project for the south side of Front will include properties at 119, 123, and 145 W. Front St. They will need about 1,100 signatures of registered city voters by April 17 to force a public vote on last week's city commission decision to issue up to $16 million in bonds. "I think the citizens of this city certainly deserve better than to have the city commission rubber stamp (it)," said Ann Rogers, a former city commissioner. The city commission on Monday approved 6-1 the West Front Street project proposed by downstate developer Michael Uzelac of Federated Properties. The deck plan was praised by city officials who said it met parking needs and would spark a revival of the city's west side. "We have talked about the issues, we have asked the questions and we are satisfied... ," Bryan Crough, executive director of the Downtown Development Authority, told city commissioners. That didn't mollify some residents who pledge a referendum and who blasted the project and the decision for a number of reasons, including: - Why city commissioners weren't told of a proposal by local developer Gerald Snowden to build a less expensive deck across the street from the Federated Properties site. Snowden's proposal, delivered to Crough and city manager Richard Lewis in January, potentially could have cost millions less. But Snowden withdrew the plan a day after it was submitted - after State Sen. Jason Allen suggested it be withdrawn. Allen has received at least $32,000 in campaign contributions from associates of Uzelac. - The project's size and scope. At eight stories and 100 feet tall, some critics said its scale doesn't fit the city's small-town character. - Use of tax increment financing to pay for the project. The city will use TIF and brownfield money to pay for the project. Projections show the city cannot afford the $16 million version of the project. The city prepared a scaled-back plan with fewer parking spots. That "minimum alternative" plan would require an $11.25 million bond issue. City officials won't know for several months what version is affordable. - Lack of financial information from Federated Properties. Some critics weren't satisfied with the developer's refusal to provide detailed accounts about project financial backing. A handful of residents who attended public meetings about the project pledged to work for a referendum. "I think we can get it," said Jim Carruthers. Chuck Avery said residents should go "door-to- door" to tell citizens about the city's plan for a second deck. "I think there is a huge rift between the downtown and the neighborhoods," he said. Residents must collect signatures from 10 percent of the registered city voters, or about 1,100 names, to place the bond issue on the ballot, said Benjamin Marentette, deputy city clerk. Citizens have 45 days to gather the signatures. That period ends April 17. Referendum-seekers must compose the ballot wording. The city attorney must approve the wording, and the city clerk must verify the signatures. The city commission would adopt a resolution at its May 15 meeting to set the date of the public vote. City officials want the election to take place Aug. 8. But Carruthers preferred a November election, when voter turnout is typically higher. Project supporters also think there will be a public cry for a public vote. "I fully expect a referendum," Lewis told commissioners Monday, before they voted for the project. In 2001, residents forced a public vote on a bond issue for the city's first parking deck. The 1,673 to 1,197 vote tipped in favor of the State Street deck, opened in 2003. But even before the city commission approved the West Front project, one resident predicted an encore battle over the second parking deck. "For Bryan Crough and the DDA, they are going to have a bigger sales job than they had just a few years ago," said Geraldine Greene. See related editorial:
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