Excellent research by Gene Kruckemyer and very interesting results showing the differences on the ALF/Marina Island issue between two Sanford Economic Development Directors, one past and one current. The following is a repost of Gene Kruckemyers post from earlier one this morning: An ALF on the waterfront is crazy. I contacted Bob Tunis, Sanford’s former economic development director from 2005 to 2011, and asked if he were aware of the proposal to allow an assisted living facility on downtown Marina Island. Here’s what he said about the leaseholder’s rezoning request for the city-owned property: “I’ve been following the waterfront debate quite closely. Of course an ALF on the waterfront is crazy. It brings virtually no economic benefit to the area and in fact will discourage the development of any further entertainment (the ‘old geezer effect’). “I must be missing something in this whole story, as I cannot see why he (the leaseholder) is so insistent on the ALF to be in the request. “I believe a hotel will be successful, but it is really a ‘Build it and they will come’ scenario. “Like I said, something is missing in this story.” Bob is now the economic development and tourism manager for Scottsdale, Ariz., a city that at 225,000 population is four times the size of Sanford. I asked his assessment of the ALF proposal because I haven’t been able to get the city’s current economic development director, Bob Turk, to weigh in on the subject. Several times I have asked by email for him to explain what he thinks about the proposal, but to no avail. I saw him at this week’s city commission meeting and again asked what this project would bring to the island now and how it would affect the future development. Once again he chose not to weigh in on why this would be a good idea. When I mentioned that it seems like he – as economic development director – certainly would be touting the project if there was some economic merit to it, he still was silent on the matter. I said that I read that as a sign that he doesn’t think much of the idea; he said I could read into it whatever I want. He is not alone on this. I have asked other city employees and commissioners why this is the project to build on Marina Island, and so far I have not heard any reasons why the zoning should be changed or what benefit an ALF would provide to the island, which in the past has been declared a waterfront destination for the city. But it’s NOT too late for any city official to say publicly what any economic, physical and aesthetic benefits there would be. If there are any benefits, Sanford residents would like to hear them. Bob Tunis mentioned one other thing, and wondered if something like this could be accomplished with the current buildings on Marina Island: I thought I would send you an example of something that was done in Scottsdale that might be food for thought. The ‘Valley Ho’ is a downtown, mid-century, art deco hotel that was bought by a hotel developer, refurbished at considerable cost and became one of the most popular hotels in the city. With its hip ‘50s vibe, it is ‘the’ place to stay for a lot of celebrities. Here’s the links: hotelvalleyho/hotelinformation/index.html wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Valley_Ho Maybe he is onto something for us…
Posted on: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 15:15:31 +0000
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