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Mayor Has Self To Scream At For Economic Non-Development - Finished a tour of Toledo to see all the changes since Finkbeiner took office as the top dog of Economic Development and Mayor. There certainly had been a lot of projects being talked about, but I didn't work up much of a sweat actually viewing any new stuff. Nonetheless, I was excited to use the famous shower in the Mayor's office before reviewing my observations with him.
" I would like to see the Mayor about Economic Development," I said, addressing the friendly receptionist in the Mayor's office, and could I use the shower while I wait? How much are those towels?"
I thought that the towels with Toledo logos on them were a nice fund raiser, especially at $19.99 each. It was a good indication that somebody was thinking creatively at the top and much more was going on behind the scenes in the office of the chief economic development leader than the Blade's recent lukewarm review of his honor's first six months in office.
I was told to have a seat in the waiting area while my request for a shower and a meeting were processed. It was obvious from the screaming that the Mayor was engaged in high level discussions ,ironically, about Economic Development. I listened in, quite easily, by the way.
" When was the last time you updated our DTI website?" I could hear him demanding, adamantly, " That's are primary launching pad for building up, recruiting and promoting our Downtown. Former Mayor Ford is still pictured on the front page! How many new business's have located downtown? ^6%$%&*^%$$^&*()You spent over $200,000 on a multi talented "Clean Up Crew" to walk around the Downtown handing out maps? Maps of what? There's nothing new to find! I'm not happy about DTI and I bet the Downtown business' s that paid into that program aren't either. Where's the recruitment of new business? Where's the incentive program? Where's a map on "How to do Business in our City?" Where's the promotion of DTI and downtown? We should have billboards at the stadium, sponsor events. This is simple stuff. Really. You are making me look bad. ^6%$%&*"
He must have turned to another person because the subject switched to the Erie Street Market. The Mayor had smartly cleaned house in the Spring, but a promised quick re-opening seemed far away.
" I didn't hear or read one thing about that consultant's day at the Erie street Market," he was screaming, " Why wasn't there a follow-up. Publicity. That's what we need now. Where's that slick Las Vegas kid I hired. That's his job. Food. Food. Food. That's the only business's I see interested. Maybe that citizen's suggestion was right. What did he say? Make it an indoor mall concept instead of another Farmer's Market. *&(*&^%$$((*&& "
Once again, the Mayor switched subjects, indicating he was talking to another project head. It was about the new banners that stated "Do Toledo."
" Is this the best we could come up with? Don't they know that's Jr. High slang for having sex with someone? Holy Toledo! Wait. Write that down. I want credit for that. *(*&^%$#$)(*&"
The receptionist noticed my uncomfortable fidgeting, especially the profanity. Those poor people in charge of development. The door to the Mayor's room opened and out walked the Mayor, by himself still screaming.
"And quit calling me Archie Bunker," he yelled back," You Meathead. King Kong was meant as a compliment. "
Nobody responded. He had been screaming at himself.
"Did you still want to see the Mayor?"she asked politely,"He's done now."
" I think I've heard everything I need to hear," I told her and handed back my towel," He needs this more than me. "
posted by HappyBadger to business at 2:31 A.M. EST     (24 Comments)

Comments ...

The Erie Sinkhole Market closed in March for renovations to bay one. The improvements are being paid for by $630,500 federal grant, which means the taxpayers continue to own it.

From the March Blade article:

"[Carty] has committed up to $300,000 to subsidize rents for the first new year of operation."

The market bay was suppose to reopen on May 27. But last month, the scheduled restart got pushed back to "late July at the earliest." That's quite a slip.

Last month, Russ Lemmon said:

"Erie Street Market's food bay won't reopen until late July at the earliest? Well, well. After his infamous confrontation with restaurateur John Skiadas nearly six years ago, who knew Mr. Finkbeiner could be so patient with his pet project?"

Anyone know the lastest on the ESM? Since taxpayers own it, I assume somewhere a website exists that provides weekly status reports to the public. Anyone have that link?



And has anyone walked by the steam plant lately? How's that progressing?

From a February Toledo City Paper article:

"Developers say the steam plant is on schedule. The project is currently in the final design phase and construction will begin this spring, ac-cording to lead developer David Ball of STS Management."

"While Ball noted that much preliminary and cleanup work has already been done on the structure, Baniszewski predicted the first noticeable results will be seen this spring."

Any recent news in the media about the steam plant? I found this little blurb in a June 7 Blade article:

"A concern for next year is that the city has set aside 24 slips with electric power for residents of the future Water Street Station when the conversion of the former Toledo Edison steam plant into condominiums and apartments is completed, possibly next year."



A Southwyck update in a June 27 Blade article:

"[A] planned renovation of the Southwyck Shopping Center in Toledo could with start demolition and construction this fall."

"At Southwyck, developer Larry Dillin, of Dillin Corp., said his plan to turn the sparsely populated enclosed shopping center into a retail village setting - at a cost of $100 million to $150 million - was greeted enthusiastically in May at a shopping center convention in Las Vegas. He is involved with multiple negotiations with anchor tenants and lenders, he added."

"The plan, he said, has received high marks from lenders and investors, so next is finishing a financial analysis to determine how much money the project will need before securing funding."

"That can be done over the next few months so he can start demolition and construction to allow Stautzenberger College, a private business school, to move into the 40,000-square-foot former Lion for the Home store by fall, 2007."
posted by jr at 12:50 P.M. EST on Thu Jun 29, 2006     #

I sure hope this works..
posted by katie82640 at 02:16 P.M. EST on Thu Jun 29, 2006     #

Yeah, so where the f**k is the Marina District, the Costco, the revitalized Southwyck, the new ampitheatre, the new arena, the new ice facility (curling, dammit!), and all the rest of that stuff at?

OH SNAP.
posted by anonymouscoward at 04:08 P.M. EST on Fri Jun 30, 2006     #

They're out in the nether regions of someone's imagination :-) But I think I did see an artist's rendering of the Marina District a few years ago?
posted by katie82640 at 04:22 P.M. EST on Fri Jun 30, 2006     #

I think I've found a safe high-paying career. Development planner. That way I can take tens of thousands of dollars from Toledo every year to come up with some drawings of some sort of development. All I have to do is make it look good and put a pile of filler and BS in for details, and totally skip the "implementation" stuff, because nothing ever gets that far.
posted by anonymouscoward at 05:24 P.M. EST on Fri Jun 30, 2006     #

sign me up. I can do this thing...
posted by katie82640 at 07:21 P.M. EST on Fri Jun 30, 2006     #

Development of the new Westgate with Costco began last month with some demolition. Westgate owners said last fall that work would begin in the spring.

Less than a year after making the announcement of a new Westgate, work has begun. That's because this project was initiated by the owner and not by government.
posted by jr at 08:01 P.M. EST on Fri Jun 30, 2006     #

..as the machines sit idle at the steamplant.

Still.
posted by BrianInFlorida at 08:35 P.M. EST on Fri Jun 30, 2006     #

jr...bingo


brian....bingo
posted by katie82640 at 09:10 P.M. EST on Fri Jun 30, 2006     #

Wait wait, the last I heard was they are demolishing Westgate, BUT there was still no guarantee Costco would actually show up. Did I miss the story where Costco actually committed to being in Westgate?
posted by anonymouscoward at 10:54 P.M. EST on Fri Jun 30, 2006     #

Does Carty's wife have to put up with those antics of his too?

Does he bully her too or will she 'slap' him around figuratively speaking and shut him up?

Poor Carty is just an evolved figure of the crude mold of 'man' he was some 20 years ago. His charisma is only better now, some days!

Does he suck his thumb too while sitting around thinking to himself? Does he have a mommy complex, does he hold on to his blanky after he gets home, and does he seek elderly approval like a little insecure boy or girl might do?

He may be better then the alternative, Jack Ford, but then again, why in the hell put up with his sad, sad antics?

Carty, you are nothing but a bully and all one has to do is 'smack you back' and he'll stand down! I guarentee it!
posted by SPontheHUD at 03:52 A.M. EST on Sat Jul 01, 2006     #

"Does Carty's wife have to put up with those antics of his too?
Does he bully her too or will she 'slap' him around figuratively speaking and shut him up?"

Actually, the cops have been called to his address for domestic reasons, and I really dont think it's her slappin him around...
posted by billy at 06:34 A.M. EST on Sat Jul 01, 2006     #

Let's get something straight about Westgate. No governement would have the gall to kick out 25 independent stores to bring in a COSTCO. The demise you saw at Westgate was in large part due to individual leases renewed with the stipulation that they couls be asked to leave at any time. Tht's why Bassett's and others left, making the plaza look like a disastor. As soon as LION left, the owners went after a box store and the wheels were set in motion. At that juncture, there was a choice to improve the retail concept, as a LEVI squar or something original. This was a snow ball of our town by owners who saw an easy buck. That constructino is an improvement over what Wesgate was becoming, but at one point there was a choice for something grand. It's demise was constructed as much as the new hero COSTCO is bding hailed.
posted by HappyBadger at 12:58 A.M. EST on Mon Jul 03, 2006     #

"The demise you saw at Westgate was in large part due to individual leases renewed with the stipulation that they couls be asked to leave at any time."

So that's what caused Thackeray's and Boogie Records to go out of business, eh? In my opinion, those were two of the best businesses in Toledo not just at Westgate, and they couldn't survive in today's market of chains and buying on the web.

And the government did toss out on the street local business people who were in the Erie Street Market because the government wants to convert the taxpayer funded market from an alleged flea market to something better.
posted by jr at 09:23 A.M. EST on Mon Jul 03, 2006     #

Erie street Market evolved to a flea market because it followed the natural course of an indoor farm market concept. It will do the same again,...fail. Homespoun is out. Emeril is on TV. Not enough local residents to maintain an all year round market. Retail venders need more isolated space so walk-by traffic doesn't interfere with individual business's and help create flea market atmosphere. I've suggested to the Mayor and Citifest that the Erie Market become more of an indoor Marketplace with similar temed artwork as facades on the indivual stores. An opening would allow customers and business to talk without hassle from passer-bys.

jr. you are right in that Thackery's quit because of giant book store was beginning to take over local business. Same with Boogie.
But, over 25 other retail business's were executed with COSTCO in the plan. I still maintain Westgate owners orchestrated its demise to suit their dream tenant.
posted by HappyBadger at 02:21 P.M. EST on Sun Jul 09, 2006     #

I'm going to drive down to the ESM and see what's what. Suggest you all do the same.
posted by katie82640 at 07:42 P.M. EST on Sun Jul 09, 2006     #

The Czarty PR machine is working overtime. From the Blade story:

"The four men in charge of job creation for Toledo, Lucas County, and region said yesterday the area is riding high with a dramatic move toward full employment and high rankings in economic activity from several tracking firms and agencies."

"Much of the good news is attributed to General Motors Corp.'s announced Powertrain expansion, which promises 893 new jobs and a $500 million investment on Alexis Road."

New jobs? Aren't these temporary construction jobs? Construction jobs are certainly a good thing. But these aren't 893 jobs added to the new GM plant, are they? If these jobs are temporary constructions jobs, when construction is complete, can we blame Carty for the loss of 893 jobs?

More from the Blade story:

"The mayor, Toledo-Lucas County Port Authority President Jim Hartung, Regional Growth Partnership President Steven Weathers, and Lucas County Improvement Corp. CEO Sean Ferguson said high times are upon the Toledo area. The Toledo metropolitan area's unemployment fell from 7.4 percent to 5.5 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Labor."

Are we now suppose to believe that this area's "high times" only began when Czarty took over? I'm thinking the Ford administration gets credit for this. But in 2004, Ford blamed prez Bush for Toledo's problems. So maybe Bush should get the credit, since local officials blame the president when the city and county has problems, but local officials take credit for the positives.


The Blade story also said:

"With the GM Powertrain project leading the way, $1.9 billion in spending and 22 projects are planned, the group said. And according to the Federal Reserve of Cleveland, Toledo (1.1 percent) and Cincinnati (1.4 percent) are leading the state in job growth this year."

"But in the Milken Institute's annual ranking of 200 metropolitan areas for job growth, Toledo was No. 196 in 2005. Toledo was No. 195 the year before. Also, the U.S. Census Bureau listed Toledo as one of the fastest shrinking cities in the country."
posted by jr at 10:12 A.M. EST on Tue Jul 11, 2006     #

From a July 7 Blade story :

"Eleven subcontractors who worked on the St. Clair Village historic renovation banded together this week to file a lawsuit against Con Keefer and Dave Ball, claiming the pair owe them about $400,000 for work, plus interest and attorney fees."

Dave Ball is leading the steam plant redevelopment.

So small business people renovate old downtown buildings for other small business people, yet the contractors are getting screwed. Allegedly.

"Kathy Steingraber, executive director of the warehouse association and developer of the project, said the warehouse association plans to file suit too. Mr. Keefer and Mr. Ball sued each other after the project was completed. They do not speak. Ms. Steingraber believes Mr. Keefer and Mr. Ball owe the money as 50-50 owners of Keefer Construction."

"Mr. Ball, who is the developer of the publicly funded steam plant project and who has redeveloped several downtown blocks, said he was taken by Mr. Keefer and said again, yesterday, he has paid bills for Keefer Construction that were not his. He refuses to keep paying and won't be publicly pressured to cover bills that aren't his, he said."

"He said Keefer Construction, the firm, owes the subcontractors, but he was just an investor, the same way someone who owns General Motors stock is not liable for paying the car company's bills. He said he was advised against doing the project and was never at the construction site. The subcontractors simply see him as an easy target, he said."

"Ms. Steingraber agreed that Mr. Ball was never at the site. "I can tell you I knew from the start he was an owner - that he was 50 percent owner or more. But I never saw him at the project," Ms. Steingraber said. "It doesn't matter. He didn't pay them." "

Yeah, this is all real good for the Toledo's image.
posted by jr at 10:23 A.M. EST on Tue Jul 11, 2006     #

Just add the Blade to that list of PR machine members. Proof of development is in the landscape. Pretty soon they are going to call it Jeff Morrin Strip Town instead of T-town. Most are vacant by the way. Downtown new stores are a no show and the word on the street is that jobs are hard to find.
posted by HappyBadger at 10:45 P.M. EST on Tue Jul 11, 2006     #

Actually, the economy is booming nationally and it always takes longer for the good national trends to show up here, so it should be no surprise that Toledo/Lucas County is beginning to see some economic improvements. Just not sure how much of these improvements are the result of what we've done locally....or (being negative) in spite of what we've done locally.
posted by MaggieThurber at 06:22 A.M. EST on Wed Jul 12, 2006     #

From an August 1 WSPD news story about the Erie Street Market:

"The new general manager of Toledo's Erie Street Market tells WSPD new food vendors are moving in by the end of the summer. But Peter Kepler says the market's history of inconsistant management remains a barrier for attracting business."

A few new businesses are suppose to open by Labor Day in the bay that was closed in March. The problem is a lack of interest by business owners.

March 6, 2006 Blade story:

"All vendors in the market bay of Toledo's Erie Street Market were told [March 5] that they have two weeks to move out to make room for a major renovation project. They will have to vacate their spaces and storage rooms by the close of business on March 20 to make room for a two-month renovation project that is expected to be the start of a "rejuvenation of the market." [T]he renovation project is anticipated to end before May 27, when the market will unveil its new look."
posted by jr at 06:09 P.M. EST on Wed Aug 02, 2006     #

August 2, 2006 Blade story:

"Joe McNamara, one of four candidates running for an at-large Toledo City Council seat who already has run early television advertisements, said yesterday that he would continue the media blitz and this time Mayor Carty Finkbeiner is his target."

"Standing on the steps of Government Center, Mr. McNamara said that "Mayor Finkbeiner's desire to personally lead our city's economic development efforts is commendable, but the challenges of spearheading large projects, attracting new investment, and creating new jobs are too important to rely on symbolism." "

"He was flanked by Councilmen Ellen Grachek and Frank Szollosi as he announced a new batch of television ads that start airing today on cable news networks in Toledo."

"The commercials, which will run on CNN, Headline News, MSNBC, and FOX News until Aug. 10, are aimed at urging city residents to compel the mayor to appoint a full-time economic development director, Mr. McNamara said."
posted by jr at 06:12 P.M. EST on Wed Aug 02, 2006     #

August 2, 2006 WUPW Ch 36 story about the steam plant project:

"If you remember, about year ago, construction supposedly began on the old steam plant Downtown Toledo. But from the outside it looks like it hasn't even been touched. And that's been the frustration many have had, but believe it or not this project is still moving along."

"In 2007 or 2008, developers hope to turn the building into luxury condo's and apartments. Mayor Carty is excited about the progress. "To see people living in it will not only rejuvenate this site but it will spawn increased activities, interests and enjoyment here on the west banks." "

"NBA player and backer of the project, Jim Jackson, says, "This is a tough project, it's not a project that takes a certain amount of dollars and we can get it done tomorrow. When your dealing with the Federal Government and State Government paperwork is really thick."

"The paperwork and waiting is because this building is a historical site and the State and National Historical Societies have to approve it."

"The Ohio Historical Society has already signed off, and right now the plans are in the hands of the National Board. Once they approve the proposal, the developers will go ahead and get financing handled and then construction will begin."

Carty and Jackson took a tour of the steam plant today. My question is, did anyone from the media accompany them?
posted by jr at 06:18 P.M. EST on Wed Aug 02, 2006     #

I want to know where this 'Recall Tommy' is? There's something I can get behind.

The clock is a'ticking. Tick. Tick. Tick.

We all have time limits on job performance.

Hey - it's only fair!!!!
posted by katie82640 at 10:28 P.M. EST on Wed Aug 02, 2006     #

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