So many ways to go with this…
Let’s start with Steve Harrison documenting that the gnomes of Charlotte city government have tucked away $7.4 million to spend on buying Eastland Mall. Remember that and the $6.1m. staff got in raises when the whining starts next year about a lack of revenue.
Next, chuckle at Boxer Property thinking that staff has the slightest interest in a down-market Latino shopping complex. Yes, that route would cost the city probably $20 to $30 million in tax abatements, but staff has their hearts set on a big $100m. and up Urban Land Institute ta-da. And if we know anything about local government around here — what staff wants, staff gets.
Also note that Boxer President Andrew Segal makes no mention at all of the city’s $500m. streetcar plans — another real oops moment. Gotta talk that sucker up, Andy — especially after the deed is filed and we all find out how little you paid to become the proud owner of part of a dead mall. That number will help set the parameters for what comes next.
In the decade past you know what would happen — staff would huddle with one of its preferred developers — Crosland, etc. — to sketch out a plan and get the wink-wink financing nod from one/both of the Uptown banks. This artifice would then “partner” with Boxer — and taxpayers — to give deliver what staff wanted. But now the path ahead is little more tricky with both banks and developers weaving out of messes. Call it Eastland, the miniseries.
