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re: Mall of Louisiana Annexation Does Not Include Major Dept. Stores
Posted on 5/8/14 at 8:54 am to doubleb
Posted on 5/8/14 at 8:54 am to doubleb
Why wouldn't Towne Center want to annex? Would get them away from the leeches of St. George and into a city where their taxes actually pay for services they use.
ETA: LINK
Oh....and this article was from last year. The BR govt machine is so advanced they responded to SG before SG even happened.
quote:
Brian Wilson, parish assessor, said if Towne Center were annexed into Baton Rouge, it would generate $42,554 for the Baton Rouge city millages including police and fire and $34,381 for the CATS millage. The loss of revenue to the St. George Fire District would be $45,408, Wilson said, meaning the net property tax increase for the development would be $31,527.
One benefit Towne Center and other areas in the parish would receive if they were annexed is lower insurance costs. The Baton Rouge Fire Department has a top rating of 1, so Baton Rouge city residents enjoy lower rates.
Towne Center is technically covered by St. George Fire Department, but Heck said the shopping development has an agreement so that Baton Rouge Fire Department and city police can serve the area.
ETA: LINK
Oh....and this article was from last year. The BR govt machine is so advanced they responded to SG before SG even happened.
This post was edited on 5/8/14 at 8:57 am
2
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:02 am to magildachunks
quote:
Why wouldn't Towne Center want to annex? Would get them away from the leeches of St. George and into a city where their taxes actually pay for services they use.
Why didn't they?
Russian says its the horses, you say they are being sucked dry.
You guys are silly and full of yourselves. You two do not even know who owns Towne Center; yet you will proceed to tell us everything about it.
Come on man.
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:04 am to magildachunks
quote:Heck is lying!!! The BRPD and the BRFD never go into unincorporated areas of the parish!!!! Those areas have the sheriff and St George fire department to protect them!!!
Heck said the shopping development has an agreement so that Baton Rouge Fire Department and city police can serve the area.
(At least that's what the SG fanboys on this board constantly preach every time I tell them both the BRPD and BRFD assist in unincorporated areas of the parish via cooperative agreements.)
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:05 am to LSURussian
Tell us now who owns Towne Center before you pivot off topic.
This post was edited on 5/8/14 at 9:06 am
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:06 am to doubleb
Stay ignorant, old man. You're making a fool of yourself. If you don't know about the long history of that property with Phil Witter, then you truly are out of touch.
ETA: LINK
Phil Witter brought in a partner to develop Towne Center. He and his partner own the property. Just like almost everything else Witter has done, it's been a mess of lawsuits back and forth.
Now STFU with your ignorance about who owns Towne Center as if that's important. You've been pwned so many times you're desperate to save face. Too late for that.
ETA: LINK
Phil Witter brought in a partner to develop Towne Center. He and his partner own the property. Just like almost everything else Witter has done, it's been a mess of lawsuits back and forth.
Now STFU with your ignorance about who owns Towne Center as if that's important. You've been pwned so many times you're desperate to save face. Too late for that.
This post was edited on 5/8/14 at 9:22 am
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:08 am to doubleb
quote:
Why didn't they?
It was an idea of one council member. Back in 2013. Who also wanted to annex Gardere into Baton Rouge and some other pockets that make no sense to not be in the city.
Loupe shot down the Gardere annexation.
Who knows why it died in committee, but it does disprove all your conspiracy theories of how the BR govt only wanted these areas to prevent SG from happening.
Your Government overlord theory was just blown out the water, and you should acknowledge that.
quote:
Russian says its the horses, you say they are being sucked dry.
Russian said they didn't join because of the horses. I said they should because SG is leeching off of them.
Completely comparable.
quote:
You guys are silly and full of yourselves.
No you are, silly goose.
quote:
You two do not even know who owns Towne Center; yet you will proceed to tell us everything about it.
Never claimed I did. I merely said that Witter spoke to the media about annexation. One thing he said was that the only reason it wasn't in BR is because it never was and nobody tried to get it annexed.
I don't know what he meant by that.
quote:
Come on man.
Where we going?
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:15 am to LSURussian
quote:
Stay ignorant, old man. You're making a fool of yourself. If you don't know about the long history of that property with Phil Witter, then you truly are out of touch.
I know he sold much of his property. You didn't?
So who owns Towne Center?
Republic Finance
Who owns all of those nice apartments on Jefferson Hwy?
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:23 am to doubleb
quote:
So who owns Towne Center?
It would seem that Witter is still involved to some aspect:
quote:
Keller calls Witter claims about Towne Center 'frivolous and untrue'
Published Aug 1, 2013 at 10:00 am (Updated Aug 1, 2013)
Developer Stephen Keller says the newest claims being made by Phil Witter, who partnered with Keller to bring Towne Center at Cedar Lodge to fruition, regarding a lawsuit dating back to 2010 are "both frivolous and untrue." In a statement sent to Daily Report, Keller rejects Witter's claim that he's not been sharing financial information about Towne Center. "Since the beginning, we have given Mr. Witter detailed financial information on all aspects on the center as thick as a New York phone book," Keller says, adding Witter has "benefited financially to a tune of more than $20 million." Witter, who sold the property that became Towne Center, is asking a 19th Judicial District Court judge to restart a long-simmering lawsuit he filed in 2010 against his partners in the project, Keller and Everett Jackson. In a motion filed July 24, Witter asks the court to allow the three-year-old suit to move forward. Attorneys for Keller and Jackson have yet to formally respond to the motion in court. While Witter claims that poor management of the popular mixed-use development by Keller's Creekstone Companies has tenants "concerned about the value of their leasehold interest," Keller responds that "Towne Center boasts a current 98% occupancy rate, far above the national or regional average." The lawsuit was put on hold in 2011, while construction-related claims—which comprise just part of the allegations in the suit—went to arbitration. Keller says the claims are being arbitrated according to the court order. "We are confident we will prevail in this bogus lawsuit and look forward to our day in court," he adds. —Steve Sanoski
LINK
quote:
Republic Finance
Looks like they are just putting up a building. And they are not the only ones.
This post was edited on 5/8/14 at 9:27 am
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:25 am to magildachunks
Does Phil Witter own the property?
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:25 am to doubleb
quote:Read my added link above. Witter continued to have a partnership interest in the property until at least August of last year. Maybe he has sold his interest since then.
So who owns Towne Center?
Why is it important to you who owns Towne Center? It is not within the city limits now. It might be someday. So what?
This post was edited on 5/8/14 at 9:28 am
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:26 am to doubleb
quote:
Does Phil Witter own the property?
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:29 am to LSURussian
quote:
Why is it important to you who owns Towne Center? It is not within the city limits now. It might be someday. So what?
It is inconsequential accept it shows you pull stuff out of thin air to prove your points.
You initially brought up the ownership of Towne Center, I didn't. You said because of the horses Towne Center didn't want in the city limits. That is obviously not the case.
I asked a valid question, if Towne Center hasn't applied to get in the city, then why would Dillards, Sears, etc. want in the city?
I do not know the answer. Apparently you don't either. It is just something to think about because reality is despite all the back and forth here; none of us really know everything about these properties even though some here seem to think they do.
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:31 am to LSURussian
quote:
Witter, who sold the property that became Towne Center,
X 38Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:33 am to LSURussian
Boy is Ryan Heck a pandering politician. SG's boy has done a complete 180:
And some more about the leeches of SG:
But I thought the SG peeps were paying for city services they don't use?
LINK
ETA: from link, written in OCT. 2012
But...But...But...Govt overlords... Doing work... Shady dealings.
quote:
“It doesn't make a lot of sense to have these large areas in the center of town that aren't in city limits,” says Metro Council candidate Ryan Heck, who is running unopposed in District 11; incumbent Alison Gary is not seeking re-election. “Maybe we should look at incorporating some more territory—the things that make sense.”
And some more about the leeches of SG:
quote:
Today, the development receives access to CATS and at times Baton Rouge Police, but does not pay taxes specific to the city.
Towne Center developer Stephen Keller was apparently unaware of a benefit of annexation: cheaper fire insurance.
Towne Center is in the jurisdiction of the St. George Fire Department. Compared to the Baton Rouge Fire Department's Class 1 rating, St. George's Class 2 rating makes fire insurance more expensive. The difference, over the decades, had spurred many annexations among homeowners and property owners.
City police also serve Towne Center, despite its being in the jurisdiction of the sheriff's office.
“We'll respond to back them up” in the event of an emergency, such as a felony, says city police Cpl. Tommy Stubbs. But the sheriff's office is the lead agency.
That overlap gives Towne Center less incentive to get annexed, says Witter: “The lines have blurred.”
quote:
Despite receiving some city benefits, including access to CATS without the taxes,
quote:
Towne Center, however, hardly stands alone. Greater Baton Rouge's hustle and bustle—particularly to the east—remains far outside the city limits. Bluebonnet Boulevard, a veritable merchandising ribbon with the Mall of Louisiana and Perkins Rowe on its shoulder, is in some cases a mile outside city limits.
Costlier fire insurance aside, those shopping centers—and L'Auberge Casino & Hotel Baton Rouge—are beneficiaries of CATS transportation routes. Because they are outside city limits, they don't pay the 10.6 mills that fund bus services.
CATS this year pushed city taxes to 116.298 millages, up from 105.698 in 2011.
But I thought the SG peeps were paying for city services they don't use?
LINK
ETA: from link, written in OCT. 2012
quote:
There is a Baton Rouge annexation currently in the works, however, and it was triggered by production difficulties for an alien-invasion apocalypse movie in 2009.
Studio operators at the Celtic Media Centre realized they could consolidate on-set security through annexation, after having to call on both the St. George and Baton Rouge fire departments—and both city police and the sheriff's office—so actor Aaron Eckhart could safely run around explosions and shoot up computer-generated, bellicose extraterrestrials in Battle: Los Angeles.
quote:
Last January, Celtic initiated the annexation of about 30 acres—including SAIF Federal Credit Union and a portion of the former Coca-Cola plant—for all of Celtic Drive and Winston Avenue.
“It streamlines it so we're not this island outside of the city,” Mulhearn says.
In June, city-parish government gave Celtic Media a legal petition for its credit union and plant neighbors to sign and move the annexation forward.
“We don't foresee any major hang-ups in the process,” says Aaron Bayham, operations manager for Raleigh Studios at Celtic Media. “We're not in a rush to complete the annexation, but we hope to move forward in the next few months."
Paying higher taxes did not factor into Celtic Media's decision. “If anything, it was nominal,” Mulhearn says.
But...But...But...Govt overlords... Doing work... Shady dealings.
This post was edited on 5/8/14 at 9:39 am
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:34 am to doubleb
And yet, he still has a claim in it.
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:37 am to doubleb
quote:"Accept"?? Seriously??
It is inconsequential accept it shows you pull stuff out of thin air to prove your points.
quote:No, I didn't. That was Phil Witter's motivation, not the merchants of Towne Center. I don't expect someone who doesn't know the difference between "except" and "accept" to comprehend written English.
You said because of the horses Towne Center didn't want in the city limits.
quote:
if Towne Center hasn't applied to get in the city, then why would Dillards, Sears, etc. want in the city?
Because the stores in the Mall don't want to be a part of St George if it happens. Especially if all of the rest of the Mall property is in the city. The confusion over which fire department or police jurisdiction is responsible for which stores would not just be confusing but likely dangerous to public safety.
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:40 am to LSURussian
quote:
The confusion over which fire department or police jurisdiction is responsible for which stores would not just be confusing but likely dangerous to public safety.
Which was Celtics motivation to annex way back in JANUARY 2012.
Shady dealings....magnet elite.
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:43 am to doubleb
What part of the word "partner" do you not understand?
Even if he sold the property, he remains a PARTNER in the development of it.
Why are you being so silly about this?
Even if he sold the property, he remains a PARTNER in the development of it.
Why are you being so silly about this?
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:54 am to magildachunks
Look at this quote from the St George fire chief:
Is he trying to rationalize that no property should ever again be annexed into the city because it would take revenue out of his kitty? Does that sound like typical SG logic or what?
And then there's this explanation why the department stores weren't included in the original petition:
quote:LINK
Leaders at the St. George Fire Protection District thinks the annexation will take a bite out of their budget, let alone leave them with an area they'll be forced to protect, without receiving tax dollars.
"It's a $130,000 [loss] today, tomorrow it'll be $200,000, the next week it'll be $300,000, when does it stop for the St. George Fire District, where does it stop, for the city of Baton Rouge to encroach upon us, and reduces our ability to do our job, because no one in the city parish is worried about us," said Jerry Tarleton, the Chief of the St. George Fire District.
Is he trying to rationalize that no property should ever again be annexed into the city because it would take revenue out of his kitty? Does that sound like typical SG logic or what?
And then there's this explanation why the department stores weren't included in the original petition:
quote:That sounds similar to what I wrote yesterday on page 1 of this thread when the issue of those stores not being included in the petition first came up.
"It's not at all gerrymandering, it's the simple fact that these companies couldn't get their signatures from their boards in time to join this petition, but they will be coming into the city. I guarantee it," said Metro Councilman John Delgado.
quote:
Those stores all have large real estate legal departments that probably have to sign off on any petition and this is just a matter of paperwork getting completed by them. The Mall's main owner could make his own decision without waiting on all of those store's lawyers and he wanted his petition to be a matter of record ASAP.
Posted on 5/8/14 at 9:58 am to LSURussian
Of course. But people don't understand that stuff. Celtic was BR strong arming them. Never mind they started the annexation process two years ago. SG just made it happen a little faster.
Heck is a joke. He was all for annexing Towne Center a year ago, then saw an opportunity to get his name out there and now has these SG people eating out of his hand.
They love the guy because he "tells it like it is". Quote from my SG family.
Heck is a joke. He was all for annexing Towne Center a year ago, then saw an opportunity to get his name out there and now has these SG people eating out of his hand.
They love the guy because he "tells it like it is". Quote from my SG family.
This post was edited on 5/8/14 at 10:00 am
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