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Plan B for RTC a wise move
Published Tuesday, July 29, 2008
While it is still the hope that an international business college would renovate and move into the soon-to-be-vacant Regional Treatment Center campus, city officials are wise in planning for the college to not happen.
Make no mistake: an international business college, which a delegation from China is considering, would be an economic boon for our community. However, there are many obstacles to overcome before it becomes reality, the biggest being the estimated $75 million pricetag to renovate the century-old facility.
If the city does anything but comply with the state’s requirement of beginning the process of demolishing at least parts of the RTC by Jan. 1, 2009, it could be left holding the financial bag which property owners would be forced to hold.
Even if demolition on older buildings begins, the business college could still happen, because it’s unlikely it would need as much space as the former RTC.
City officials aren’t being negative in planning for the international business college not to happen. They’re just using common sense.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by otter (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 1:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's good to see that all options are still being looked at..
Maybe we should have renovated the State grounds with the referrendum rather that adding on to schools that have declining enrollement..
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 2:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)
or maybe we should just use the rtc for our school instead of building a new one?
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 2:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
so no movie and might not sell to china?
way to go!
way to keep fergus the land of missed opportunities!
Posted by rodentboy (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 2:27 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"could be left holding the financial bag which property owners would be forced to hold."
can't say i didn't warn you. the developement group and the city bit off more than they could chew and we are going to pay for it.
Posted by drknow (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 4:40 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Isn't it interesting that the city may be left holding the bag for the demolition of the State Hospital. There is no signed agreement on what to use it for but yet the city is spending big dollars now to put in a new water main to the State Hospital just in case they may need it.
Didn't they say when they took it over from the state that it would cost the city anything? What is their definition of "anything"
Posted by ffrogg (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 6:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)
its a lot like snipe hunting; if all else fails, property owners will be the poor suckers holding an empty bag. but, if it is demolished, or developed into a grand school, some contractors and business men, city aristocrats included, will be happily holding the bag, full of money. as for most property owners, they will just have to be thankful they didn't get bit by the snipe.
Posted by theweasel (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 6:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If anyone can screw up a “free gift” the city of Fergus Falls can. Make no mistake about it, the Chinese aren’t coming and there will be no movie. The city’s powers that be can turn a silk purse into a sows ear with out even trying.
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 7:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
anyone interested in electing me?
I've been dirt poor most of my life, and I would vote in favor of bringing real opportunities to fergus, and being that I have always had to utilize every asset I've ever had, cut waste!
Posted by rodentboy (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 7:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
metasonics,
run i will vote for you
Posted by ffrogg (anonymous) on July 29, 2008 at 7:35 p.m. (Suggest removal)
@ metasonics
be careful you don't get tasered
Posted by ghostly_1 (anonymous) on July 30, 2008 at 9:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Say what you want about those boys and girls down at the legislature but most of them aren't dummies. The city watched for decades while the RTC campus deteriorated and the state put almost no money into it for physical plant improvements. They should have seen the handwriting on the wall, its not like they weren't warned, talk of the place closing almost started back when it was built. They watched and applauded while the Vets Home was built, then the CBHH out on Alcott and now while the building for the Chemical Dependent units out by the Bigwood Center.
What happened? The state pulled a couple of fast ones on us, instead of the money going for improvements to the RTC which by now is hopelessly shabby, they got new buildings, employ less than half the people they did and left the city holding the bag for the problems they left behind.
We lost probably 300 nicely paying jobs, statements to the contrary are out and out false. We have buildings that aren't suitable or in condition for anything, I mean 75 million dollars? Can anybody say pipe dream?
The real joke was when the state sold the county the building that now houses the county offices for a dollar. The county turned around and put 8-12 million into it and they still say they don't have enough room. Guess the city should be happy though, at least they didn't get stuck with that one too.
Posted by NeedMoreInfo (anonymous) on July 30, 2008 at 10:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I spoke with our buddy at the Economic Improvement Commission – Director, Harold Stanislawski, about the “remodeling” effort involved in updating the RTC to be used as a college campus. His response was that a couple rooms had been updated to be dorm rooms for less than $1,000/room. He also went on to say how good they looked.
It’s ironic that he forgot to mention the $75M price tag to renovate the rest of the century-old facility. Must have slipped his mind…
Posted by Clara (anonymous) on July 30, 2008 at 12:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
metasonics: If you think you would be a good Councilmember, you'd better offer more than just "being in favor of real opportunities" for Fergus Falls. EVERYBODY is in FAVOR of real opportunities. We need elected official who can FIND real opportunities. Big difference.
Posted by metasonics (anonymous) on July 30, 2008 at 4:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)
well Clara, I certainly agree with you, however I also think we need to get our council more friendly to opportunity.
There are opportunities all around, our city turned down having 3M here, the turkey plant, as well as countless business', I have been in contact with Dav Kaufman about the movie proposal.
He still is in favor of filming here.
Fergus falls is situated in a perfect location, which is why celebrities like, ZZ-top, Def Leppard, Ace Frehley, Steve Miller, Hank Williams jr., Kenny Rogers, Soul asylum, and such have visited this fine city.
why didn't they perform while here?
because the unwelcoming atmosphere, and lack of community support for such things.
every day countless opportunities zip by our fine city on the interstate.
I would like to see a much more welcoming atmosphere.
if you build it, they will come!
it's time this city stops chasing away their own children and all the money they could have brought into our city.
Finding opportunity isn't this city's problem, it's being open and accepting of it!
Posted by olson736 (anonymous) on July 30, 2008 at 7:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nice to see all the brightest light bulbs are on at the same time. I don't think they started the University of Minnesota with the campus they have today. Same thing is true with the Chinese university. They may start with 250 students and build from there, it may take them 5-10 years before they utilize all of the buildings. Or the enrollment will build faster and we may see them adding dormitories within that same period.
They don't have to spend $75 million, there is a 25% historical tax credit as well as a host of other development credits already available that reduces the construction costs considerably.
Maybe these idiots at the daily journal should do their homework and report the accurate story. Or you folks should spend a few minutes learning the facts yourselves before you spout off about something you know so little about.
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