Planning commission votes to defer decision on Menards for one month

It's time to bring back the "Cornfield Mall" project from the late 80's.

April 23, 2013 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

KU officials break ground on Rock Chalk Park; set goal of hosting 2014 Kansas Relays at site

Chad you wrote:
"Thomas Fritzel, the Lawrence businessman who is the lead donor for the park"

Chad, what is Thomas Fritzel donating? and if Fritzel is the lead donor, then who are the other donors?

Chad you wrote:
"The Rock Chalk project — which KU officials have said would cost KU about $40 million to build"

Chad, who are the KU officials that are saying this project would cost $40 million dollars to build?

April 17, 2013 at 9:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Bids to convert former Farmland fertilizer site into new business park come in far lower than expected

City taxpayers benefit when a number of independent, unrelated bidders compete for public work.

Taxpayers benefit when independent experienced and capable engineers and architects prepare plans and specifications for projects funded by taxpayers.

Taxpayers benefit when we have a staff that can estimate public infrastructure and allocate costs equitably to benefiting sites…

Thanks to Corliss and Schumm none of these benefits will be available to the taxpayers for the Rock Chalk Park infrastructure.

Instead all benefits go to a private developer (Fritzel).

Corliss gets the raise, the taxpayers get the shaft.

April 2, 2013 at 5:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

City commission candidates weigh in on strengths, weaknesses of City Hall

Rock Chalk Development

1. 100% tax abatement for private developer’s business venture contrary to the City’s abatement policy as concluded by the City’s public incentive review committee (P.I.R.C.) and ignored by this commission! “A FIRST FOR LAWRENCE”

2. Same developer to build infrastructure on City R.O.W., public easements, and City property “without competitive bidding”… at taxpayer’s expense. “ANOTHER FIRST FOR LAWRENCE”

3. To issue up to $40,000,000.00 I.R.B.’s for the same private developer’s project without any due diligence as to the actual cost of the project, the financial feasibility, including equity, and the marketing of the bonds. “ANOTHER FIRST FOR LAWRENCE”
Above are three recent (last 90 days) City hall staff and commission actions... setting new policies and precedents for developers. Implementation details of these policies (however incriminating) fall to the next City commission…

Yet candidates seem to think 10 year long term planning is what taxpayers are concerned about.

Lawrence has a severe leadership problem…

March 26, 2013 at 3:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Business-oriented political action committee gets big donations, endorses Chestnut, Farmer, Riordan in City Commission race

Follow the PAC money to the largest and most lucrative construction project .

Rock Chalk developer Thomas Fritzel will manage (10% fee), control, and build all of the infrastructure (i.e. sewers, water lines, parking lots, sidewalks, trails, and streets) … some on city right of way, but with the majority being infrastructure Fritzel will own for 50 years and lease to KU Athletics.

All of the above is to be paid for by city taxpayers and allowed by the current commission without competitive bids.

PAC contributor Paul Werner (Fritzel’s architect) will receive over $500,000 for infrastructure engineering plans as well as the bulk of a $925,000 fee for the city’s recreation center plans whether it is built or not – all courtesy of city taxpayers.

Contributor Bill Penny (a Fritzel partner and concrete supplier in the Junction City debacle) will supply concrete for the “city funded” streets, sidewalks, and parking lots, also the IRB funded Fritzel stadium buildings, and also an inside track for a city recreation center to be funded by city GO bonds.

Contributor Doug Gaumer of Intrust clearly recognizes that on Intrust Financial corporation’s Board of Directors is Fritzel’s father-in-law …

In spite of Schumm’s commission's unprecedented rush to get irrevocable agreements (negotiated behind closed doors) in place before this election, all did not get done. He needs votes he can control – Reardon and Farmer – and PAC “Lawrence United” contributors don’t want to risk a big pay day at taxpayer’s expense.

March 19, 2013 at 4:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

City's Public Incentives Review Committee to consider Rock Chalk Park property tax abatement today; member raises questions about city's analysis

Cindy Yulich of Emprise Bank should abstain from participating in today’s PIRC meeting due to the fact that it is understood that Emprise Bank is involved in the financing of this project.

March 5, 2013 at 12:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Developer, proposed Rock Chalk Park partner Thomas Fritzel involved in company that owes $3.4M in back taxes, fees

Seuferling quote;
"This is not a speculative development project"

- Bliss LC (Fritzel) formed 7/19/2012

- 6 1/2 month old, unknown financial ability

- Never built a softball stadium

- Never built a soccer stadium

- Never developed KU- NCAA track and field facilities.

- KUEA reportedly giving Fritzel/Bliss a no-bid-contract on all infrastructure to serve Rock Chalk Park without detailed plans and specifications or independent cost estimates.

- Six month old Bliss LC (Fritzel) is granted by this city commission an intent to issue up to 40 million in IRB's to build his project: of yet to be released plans and specifications or any independent cost estimates.

- City also has authorized Bliss to proceed with construction KUEA land.....

- Not Speculative?????

Seuferling has been bamboozled---
a major embarrassment for KU.

Where's the Board of Directors???

February 3, 2013 at 12:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Fritzel breaks silence on proposed Rock Chalk Park deal, says he won't profit from the KU sports complex

Notice: Resolution 7002 on the agenda for approval this Tuesday night.

Section 8. Authorization to Proceed. Bliss is hereby authorized to proceed with the acquiring, constructing and equipping of the Project, including the necessary planning and engineering for the Project and entering into of contracts and purchase orders in connection therewith, and to advance such funds as may be necessary to accomplish such purposes, and, to the extent permitted by law and upon compliance with the other requirements of this Resolution, Bliss may be reimbursed for all expenditures paid or incurred therefor out of the proceeds of the Bonds

Your city commissioners are rushing authorization for Fritzel to start construction, ignoring city policies and procedures for public incentives and not divulging contents of agreements containing taxpayers obligations and costs.

Disgusting.....

January 19, 2013 at 11:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

KU portion of Rock Chalk Park project wins approval at Lawrence City Hall; KU Relays could be at site by 2014

Could investors be baling out Fritzel and themselves by driving this project from the inside. Thomas Fritzel under Fort Development LLC. developed a residential subdivision called Olivia Farms in Junction City. Fritzel is currently running from paying millions of dollars for three years of delinquent real estate taxes and special assessments owed Junction City. Two members of the Fort Development LLC group are well positioned within KU Endowment, one as a KU Endowment Executive Committee member and another as a KU Endowment Trustees.

Conflict of interest?

January 9, 2013 at 11:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )

Lawrence Association of Neighborhoods calls for citywide election on recreation center project

Schumm became more comfortable with Fritzel's bidding process after the $50,000 dollar fine was levied from Fritzel for the Varsity House site plan violations.

January 4, 2013 at 9:45 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )