Mooresville officials are scheduled to meet today with Langtree at the Lake developers and billionaire hotelier John Q. Hammons.
The lunch meeting with Hammons -- who Langtree says is planning to build a hotel/convention center in the planned Langtree at the Lake development in Mt. Mourne -- was mentioned by Langtree CEO Rick Howard and Attorney David Parker at Monday night’s public hearing.
Town Manager Steve Husemann, in an e-mail to the Report today, said that the purpose of the lunch is "to talk about procedures for building permits, utilities etc.
“Obviously,” he added, “a show of support from the town and community is important as well. I would not expect any SAID (special assessment improvements district) bond discussion; in fact, none of the right people to discuss that issue will be present."
Husemann said he expected that town planners Tim Brown and Craig Culberson would attend the lunch, as well as Ryan Rase from engineering. Mayor Bill Thunberg and Commissioner Chris Carney were apparently the only two elected officials invited to attend. Carney told the Report that he had a scheduling conflict and would not be able to attend the lunch; he said today that he had asked that Commissioner Miles Atkins – who Parker said Monday night had been asking “the most piercing questions” of Langtree – be invited to the lunch in his place. Atkins was unable to be reached for comment at lunchtime today.
Husemann also said that he, as town manager, planned to attend the lunch. “I will be there to smile and shake hands,” he said. And “no,” he added – even without being asked the question – “Langtree will not be buying lunch for any city employees or commissioners.”
He said the meeting “is likely to be today, but I don’t believe that has been confirmed.”
More details on Monday night's discussion will be posted later ...
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
35 comments:
Mr. Atkins and his "piercing" questions. I could not be more proud. You have my support, Miles!
Mooresville Citizens,
Unless there is a MAJOR demonstration of opposition, Langtree is a 'done deal'. What you are seeing now is part of the script written and directed by the Howards.
This meeting with Hammond is Langtree bringing in 'The Big Gun' to threaten, in a nice way, Mooresville. He will be lending support to the Bond issue, wondering why Mooresville hasn't given any concessions to Langtree and putting the pressure on the Town Board.
He'll be trying to get done what the Howards have been unable to do.
This script has been written many months ago and the actors are in place. The Citizens of Mooresville have 'zero' say in the Town's direction. You'll see Commissioners pondering the why and wherefore of Langtree, they will be looking concerned, they will ask probing questions, they will hem and haw but they will follow the script!
Can anyone stop them?
Yeah, just like the cable deal, some of the commmissioners and Mayor know that the public is overwhelmingly against this but they are dead set on doing it anyway. All we can do is make note of who voted for and against and know for sure that Thunberg is sneaking around manipulating the process. Let's see if Hammons is willing to sign a personal guarantee of the whole project. The proof will be in the pudding.
I like Billionaires!This one will become a 2 Billionaire when he is finished with the Mooresville Morons.
I'm glad he's going to create jobs. I hope he needs a good plumber for work on his hotel. Not a lot going on right now. I need the work. I have a family to feed.
can someone explain to me in simple terms why the SAID bonds issue is a bad thing?
Poster 8:35
Let's see. J Q Hammond is a Billionaire. The Howard's have a few bucks in the bank. And they are asking to Town (you and I!) to issue somewhere around 45 million dollars in Bonds because they are saying they cannot raise the money.
45 Million is chump change for their consortium. It is a few decimal points of their consortium's total worth. If they need money for horizontal infrastructure, let them put the money up.
Issuing a SAID bond is not a bad thing. Issuing a SAID bond because a Billionaire and his cohorts want line their pockets is! If the Town uses SAID bonds (which affects its credit rating), it shouldn't be to support Billionaires.
This Town is in desperate need of revitalizing and shouldn't be held hostage to Langtree's demands. Look at Mooresville and compare it to the surrounding Towns. Mooresville has had robust growth in the last decade. Read that to mean that the Town has had a tremendous increase in the tax base. But what has happened? Little or nothing to enhance the quality of our lives.
Our Town Board should not be wasting their energy on trying to appease Langtree; they should be figuring out how to get the Town moving again!
SAID bonds should be used to allure new businesses and bolster the crumbling, outdated Town infrastructure. It should not be used to enhance the profits of an already committed and financed project like Langtree.
As for the plumber who needs work, we all feel your pain and pray for better times for you and your family.
There is a difference between need (the out of work plumber) and greed (Langtree)!
I agree with 8:12 and 8:35. The best way to get this town moving again is to help these guys start building. Jobs create jobs.
In response to 9:26, like 8:35 said, I need construction work because I have a family to feed.
Get out from under the rock 9:26. You must be living off Obama's government. Unlike you, I have to work to feed my kids.
9:26, John Q Hammons is a new business.
Can any one tell me how much tax revenue Langtree will provide the city and county?
Will it be more than 50% of the total for all of Moorsville? How does the town plan on spending this increase?
How many local vendors are they going to employ?
How many jobs will this project create? Is it more than 100?
If the answers are all favorable than I'm for Langtree. If not than I'm against.
If this project creates jobs and keeps taxes low then I hope all of the commissioners will sell out. !!! Please sell out to the Howards. My FAMILY NEEDS WORK!!!!
Beth. The direct secured jobs would be in the hundreds, with a trickle down effect of hundreds more.
I agree, it needs to be for the Jobs!
I agree with the plumber. Jobs are needed and this is an opportunity for Mooresville's Stimulus package. Does no one realize the productive morale it would contribute to the town, not to mention the positive attention from other cities? Finally, someone building something during these times! Maybe others would follow suit. Maybe by the time it's open the economy will be on its way up.
Folks keep talking about these bonds being a burden on the taxpayer, yet they are obviously ignorant on how they work. The risk lies with the bond purchaser and the developers. The worst that could happen....project halts, forclosure, and the town owns 165 acres with roads, water, and sewer. People keep talking about these bonds as if they are allocated to Mooresville waiting to be spent somewhere. The SAID bond process is a lending mechanism. It’s not a decision of which developer to hand the bonds to, or to use them to revitalize downtown. It’s a loan. Not to mention that banks are not loaning money for town sewer and waterlines! Mr 9.26, you say that the bonds should be used elsewhere. Why can’t they still? You’re then asking the town to take out the loan, unless you want to step in a take out the loan.
I'm on the sidelines and do not know the Howards, big or small, jr or whatever, but obviously some people are basing their statements on personal opinions of their character. Maybe there is truth in these blogs, however they are not relevant in my support of this project. It's apparent that folks just do not like the developers and want them to fail. I don't care about them either because I don't need to in order to objectively discern that this is a great opportunity for Mooresville and the workforce.
Everyone seems so sure that the developers (John Q excluded) are so loaded that they can stroke a check for this project? I doubt that. Any other takers out there that want to put their "you know what" on the line and build this project? These bonds are drop in the bucket compared to the dough the developers are going to cough up. I do not envy the sleepless nights they’ll have with this project going forward.
I ask that everyone take an objective look at the facts of this project and what it would bring to Mooresville without personal judgment of the individuals involved.
Hey Yea sayer, why don't you just go ahead and sign your name..either big Rick or Little Rick? Also for the Plumber wanting work unless you are one of the ass kissers like the Town Board you will never get any work. They will all go to their friends. They will bring in workers out of this area.
I am in the construction business, you cant build a project of this magnitude with out of town subs. 5:35, you must be a bitter jealous person. There are a lot of us who need work right now. Get a life.
THIS IS ALL ABOUT THE JOBS.
The town has enough problems with the cable and water. Our town commissioners have spent, spent, spent. If they approve these bonds all of our property taxes will go up. Well,with these commissioners property taxes go up anyway.
If the bonds don't sell, the town is strapped with the expense. This is simply stealing from Peter to pay Paul.
The construction does not guarantee jobs for local folks. There's absolutely no way that the developers can assure that the Mooresville people are hired first or at all.
The government is not designed to be in the lending business. This sort of corporate welfare is part of what got us into this economic mess in the first place.
And if the bonds are SO good for people, why haven't all the other local governmental institutions issues such bonds? Probably because they realize they'll be stuck with the debt if the business goes belly-up. Sure, they'll default and go into foreclosure, but how many individual homes are now in foreclosure because of horrific lending practices.
I say, let's invite the entire Board and the mayor to have lunch with us to discuss the pressing needs facing our town. If they can take time to meet with John Q, they should have ample time to sit down with lowly folks like us.
Yea-sayer said (Brad and/or Rick Howard said):
I (Brad Howard)agree with the plumber. Jobs are needed and this is an opportunity for Mooresville's Stimulus package. Does no one realize the productive morale it would contribute to the town, not to mention the positive attention from other cities? Finally, someone building something during these times! Maybe others would follow suit. Maybe by the time it's open the economy will be on its way up.
Folks keep talking about these bonds being a burden on the taxpayer, yet they are obviously ignorant on how they work. (We, the Howards are so much smarter than you dumb ass Redneck Iredell County folks) The risk lies with the bond purchaser and the developers(us). The worst that could happen....project halts, forclosure, and the town owns 165 acres with roads, water, and sewer. People keep talking about these bonds as if they are allocated to Mooresville waiting to be spent somewhere. The SAID bond process is a lending mechanism. It’s not a decision of which developer to hand the bonds to, or to use them to revitalize downtown. It’s a loan. Not to mention that banks are not loaning money for town sewer and waterlines! Mr 9.26, you say that the bonds should be used elsewhere. Why can’t they still? You’re then asking the town to take out the loan, unless you want to step in a take out the loan.
I'm on the sidelines and do not know the Howards, big or small, jr or whatever, but obviously some people are basing their statements on personal opinions of their character.(Really, you don't know yourself) Maybe there is truth in these blogs, however they are not relevant in my support of this project. It's apparent that folks just do not like the developers and want them to fail. I don't care about them either because I don't need to in order to objectively discern that this is a great opportunity for Mooresville and the workforce.
Everyone seems so sure that the developers (John Q excluded) are so loaded that they can stroke a check for this project? I doubt that. Any other takers out there that want to put their "you know what" on the line and build this project? These bonds are drop in the bucket compared to the dough the developers(We) are going to cough up. I do not envy the sleepless nights they’ll (we'll) have with this project going forward.
I ask that everyone take an objective look at the facts of this project and what it would bring to Mooresville without personal judgment of the individuals involved.
Larry, the money isn't granted UNTIL the bonds are sold, so what are you talking about?
If the bonds aren't purchased, the process is dead & there's no money to even argue about who is liable, so I don't see the validity of your statement.
Yea-sayer= Brad Howard
Why is it so difficult to believe there is someone,at least one person, other than Brad or Rick Howard that supports new jobs and economic growth for Mooresville. Take them out of the equation and look at the Project and what it would do for Mooresville.
OK let's take the 'H' word out of the equation.
1. This project will dump 22,000 more automobile trips onto I77, Langtree Road, Alcove and the surrounding roads.
2. Approximately 5,000 of those trips are destined for Williamson Road, a disaster area already!
3. A 12 story hotel will be built in the middle of a bedroom community.
4. A full service marina will be built at the end of Queen's Cove directly abutting residential property.
5. New storm drain runoff holding facilities have not been built and will overburden the existing facilities.
6. The Town should set the environment for Businesses to succeed and not be in the loan business any more than they should be in the entertainment(cable) business. The cable deal was sold to us because it would attract new business high its high speeds. What a crock!
7. The Town has done a truly horrendous job of managing growth in Mooresville. Look at the Hwy 150 development and its unconstrained development. While allowing Downtown Mooresville to wither and die. Will Langtree be any different?
8. We have all gotten into this "growth is good" mentality. And I agree, as long as it is sustainable and doesn't compromise why we all choose to live here in the first place. We do not need to be a mini- Charlotte to be successful. Go one county south and you'll see what a truly lousy living environment can be.
To all those out of work, it is vividly understandable why you would like to have Langtree go forth. But do we want to compromise our way of life? Are we ready to live with further Government intervention in our Businesses and lives?
Hey, an entire posting without mentioning the 'H' word!
Take the H out, finally a responsible blog. I agree with the comment about hwy 150 and withering downtown. Assuming growth is imminent for Mooresville, I would prefer it to be off its own exit and not added to hwy 150 or exit 33. Growth downtown would be nice, but I guess it’s too risky? Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see Langtree at the southern side of Mooresville, with its own exit, as compromising our way of life. Maybe I’m speaking out of turn for those that live down Langtree, as added traffic to this intersection is certainly a fact.
Assuming the hotel goes up with or without Langtree, I would like to have Langtree there for restaurants and attractions to keep the hotel goers from adding to Williamson and hwy150 traffic.
I don’t claim to know all the details, storm drain issues, traffic impacts, marina, etc, but assuming those issues can be ironed out, the project itself has incredible potential.
I like the concept and potential of the project. I can envision what it looks like as you drive up I-77 and enter Mooresville. What a statement it would make for lake living! For the record, I’m not fond of being known as “Race City USA”. What else would folks like to see at this exit, the existing farmland?
The job market is only going to worsen this year. Creation of new jobs is vital during these times however I’d back the project a few years ago as well.
I’m pretty much done blogging my thoughts & will just sit back and see what others have to say and how this all pans out in the months to come.
I think this is a good site for information and sharing, I just get turned off with those that just capitalize on the Anon comments to create the Gatton Soap Opera.
"Withering Downtown"? Anyone else see the parallel between Anthony Fox's wife being hired for a $100,000/year position with DSS in Charlotte and Miles Adkins getting a position as Downtown Director in Mooresville. Her position cost the tax payers of Mooresville about $70,000 to $80,000/ year when you include her insurance, retirment, travle, office expense, etc. etc. Has anyone seen any improvements downtown or heard of any programs to revitalize the area? Looks like more of the same that we swallowed for so many years in the past. Meanwhile, Kim Adkins is pulling in a nice cushy salary.
oops. . . make that 'Miles Adkin's wife getting a psotions as Downtown Director"
I love it. My friend just sent me a link to this. I have heard about it, but had no idea! I'm hooked.
This should be called "The Gatton Soap Opera".
Gatton does a great job of reporting the facts. People can make of them what they will. What's most important is that somebody around here has the energy and the "balls" to ask the tough questions and to demand answers. We as the public are entitled to no less than at least answers. And we often get some answers except when it comes to the "duck and run" sorry excuse for a mayor that we have.
Wait a second Mr. Yea-sayer -- YOU are anonymous too -- so we can't take you very seriously, especially since you've been monopolizing all the bandwith for your blurbs
The entire focus of the SADs is to benefit the developer, not the state, county, or town. It is entirely FOR the developers. If someone is stupid enough to buy the bonds, what happens when they are unable to recoup their money because the developer went out of business. Sure, the town isn't liable for the funds but someone, somewhere is liable. I'm not directly responsible for the various ponzi schemes, but I'm surely feeling the effects of it.
Bottom line is that the government should not be a lending instituion or a qualified co-signor on this loan package for the developer.
I'm not saying this couldn't have positive implications for the town and the economy, but it's going to come back to bite us at some point.
Can any one tell me how much tax revenue Langtree will provide the city and county?
Will it be more than 50% of the total for all of Moorsville? How does the town plan on spending this increase?
How many local vendors are they going to employ?
How many jobs will this project create? Is it more than 100?
If the answers are all favorable than I'm for Langtree. If not than I'm against.
If this project creates jobs and keeps taxes low then I hope all of the commissioners will sell out. !!! Please sell out to the Howards. My FAMILY NEEDS WORK!!!
Is there anyone who could please help me with these questions? I had one response that states that there will be more than 100 jobs created.
10:52..... You are right!!! The government should not be lending money to developers or Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac or VA or FHA or GNMA or FNMA or HUD or SBA... You must be aware of this?? I'm not saying this couldn't have positive implications for the town and the economy, but it's going to come back to bite us at some point. How does Fannie and Freddie feel?
Are you against the Howards- Daddy or Son? or the Langtree project?
Is this personal? Has either one of the Howards done something personal to you or is your dislike based on them being a developer?
Just wondering where the anger is coming from.
12:58 -- I don't think the government should be involved in those lending programs either. They've all been abused and have contributed to the fiasco we're not facing.
Here's what I know about the SAID bonds:
1. The town is going to incur costs for the infrastruture. (http://www.sog.unc.edu/pubs/nclegis/nclegis2008/14%20local%20government%20and%20local%20finance.pdf) Page 10, end of first paragraph
2. The experts have indicated that the bonds will be difficult to sell due to their high risk. If the town is going to incur the costs and is supposed to recoup those expenses through the special assessment, then we are at risk of losing that investment should the developers not complete the project or go out of business.
As to your specific questions, I don't know the answers. However, here are my thoughts:]
1. It seems highly improbable that this project would account for 50% of the entire tax base of the town.
2. I've not seen any public comments related to Langtree employing local vendors. However, if you look at the Langtree website, the only local vendor involved is the Land Acquisition group. The other already involved are from outside the state.
3. I'm sure the project will create well more than 100 jobs. It seems to large to not do that. However, who will get those jobs is an entirely different issue. I've not seen any public comments indicating a desire to have a specific number of jobs offered to folks from this area.
I am not an expert in any of this, but I know you've posted these questions in multiple forums so I thought I'd try to find some answers and create some discussion. Hope this helps.
Thank you Larry. My understanding is that the town has no risk associated with the bonds but I will double check just to make sure.
Does the Developer have to pay the town for these cost up front?
Can we call Langtree to find out who the vendors are or will they disclose that info?
Who would we I need to ask for? Do you know?
Once again thanks, I like you want to make sure that we do what's best for Moorsville.
Beth,
Do you honestly believe Langtree would give you a commitment on the jobs? Also, who will 'police' them to make sure the Town gets its 'fair' share when the project is underway?
If you ask Mr. Langtree for definite commitments on ANYTHING, he'll tell you what you want to hear.
Langtree should open their financial and project plan books for the Town inspection(us). Anything short of full financial disclosure should be met with a emphatic NO!
There are no axes to grind here, just good solid Business practices. The Town should be run as a business and demand substantial concessions from Langtree, take their time to deliberate, and weigh the future costs of possible default.
Additionally, municipalities do not and should not want to be in the real estate business in the case of default. The developers will scatter to the wind and the Town will be left with property which has no tax base.
We all know this will not happen, of course!
Wow! Catching up on the blog again. One of the best things so far I've read was on March 11, 2009 9:26 PM when he/she said "There is a difference between need (the out of work plumber) and greed (Langtree)!"
And, maybe it's just me, but this "Beth" character sounds alot like a pseudonym for a Howard! I guess they think we were all born yesterday.
If this is all such a fabulous deal, why did the county turn its nose up at it as soon as The Gatton Report exposed it? That's what I wanna know.
Beth=Howard
Yea-Sayer=Howard
Greed=Howard
Iredell County Commissioners=WISE
Post a Comment