Lyn,

Below is what I send Melissa Price and Glenn Miller after having coffee with them yesterday and discussing the Ed Lewis project. 

Melissa and Glenn,

 

Thanks for taking the time to meet yesterday morning and thank you for the coffee. It is clear you both care a great deal about Carefree.   It is also very clear you believe that the Ed Lewis project is the right thing for the Town to do.

 

While I do not share the same level of belief in the project, it is not something that I am opposed to out of hand. My concern is based on the concept of the town investing their reserves in a private development and picking economic winners and losers. This is something I believe the free market should decide.  

I also do not trust revenue projections that go out 20 years. My 30 years of business experience have taught me that these types of projections are unreliable   Even Ms. Brown from Butte properties suggested in her talk at the meeting the other night that they needed to stick to their time line as if they do not get a June go ahead they will lose another year and that they can not predict what the market will be like at that time. Yet somehow we are supposed to believe in 20 year tax revenue forecasts. 

 

I am also concerned that the original cost of the facility has gone from an estimated $2.5 million to $4 million and I have also heard the annual operating cost estimates  have risen as well. These numbers really need to get nailed down. 

 

As I mentioned to Melissa I believe it would be very helpful and the prudent thing to do, for the town council to prepare some pro forma town financials based on making the investment in the community center and looking at a worst case financial scenario.  You could run a couple of different models with various levels of debt and cash investment by the town for the total investment of $4 million and then assume the worst. That would be only the construction sales taxes but no condo sales taxes and not additional sales taxes. If there is a savings by getting rid of the $50,000 rent currently paid for the current council chambers, plug that in.  

 

Basically help the people of the Town see what the worst case scenario looks like to the towns finances.  I'm sure you believe that the above conditions will never occur, but no one ever does and you owe it to the town's people to at least have an understanding of where we end up if the whole thing goes south.

 

It may turn out that you can demonstrate that the maximum down side risk to the town is not that bad. We should at least know what that is.

 

Just a thought on my part that may make it easier for the many of us who have real concerns about this project to get more comfortable. 

 

Thank you.

 

Tony Geiger 

 

 

Lyn, I have not heard one person recommend the cultural center. If it doesn’t work the City is liable for the ongoing expense and debt over any profit. If Lewis wants to put up a bond to cover any and all losses on the cultural center from the city aspect for numerous years, then maybe it is possible given a very tight contractual agreement. However, I feel there must be a residences (one per household) vote of approval to move forward as after all, if no bond and all associated expenses exceed revenue, then the City (residents bear the burden of potential new taxes).

Sincerely,

Robert Brenner

 

 

A Carefree

A Carefree resident who found this letter duct taped to the Sundial last evening

 

 

 

 

After reviewing both sides, the only answer for an acceptable decision would be a property owners Referendum! 

 

 

 

 

Dear Lyn,

Thank you for creating this easy route for communicating our thoughts to the Carefree Council.  

Dear Council members, 

I appreciate your reaching out to the community for our thoughts regarding "revitalization" of Carefree.  Here are some of my heartfelt feelings.

First, there is no more certainty of the town "dying" than it is of the present plan succeeding.  What is the rush?  During the time we have been here (1977)   businesses have come and gone as they will no doubt continue to come and go.  I was told face to face by a member of the Council that we have plenty of money from present and projected taxes to cover needs for at least a decade.  If that is the case then it seems to me that the main motivating factor in the present plan is the wish of a single developer.  The impetus does not seem to have come from the citizens.

It also seems that just the word "taxes" strikes fear in the hearts of some.  What is the difference in paying taxes on goods and services vs. a modest property tax, should it ever be needed?  Further, a highly motivating factor for old and new retail would be a reduction in the present sales tax.  If the present plan fails, the citizens may end up paying both types of taxes for years to come.

Now a big question:  WHY do people come to live in Carefree?  It is not because of glitz, busy shops, more traffic, etc.  They come here precisely for the opposite reasons: Natural beauty, peace, quiet, and a slow paced lifestyle.........that is the "Carefree Brand," if there is such a thing.  I wonder if the Council is thinking how their proposal would change forever this Carefree lifestyle.  If so it has not made any attempt at articulating just how the "developed" Carefree would "feel" different.  Such changes may increase foot traffic but what effect will that have on residents?   I dare say that by that measure Carefree will become less attractive, especially for those who are older and/or infirm.  We do not want to live in a "Cave Creek Lifestyle."

Finally, to repeat what I said at the meeting on Jan. 27, the Council owes the citizens a clear vision of the downstream consequences if the present proposed fails.  Also it owes us the chance to vote, after a sufficient period of final reflection on the above.

Councils will come and go but such changes as proposed will be permanent.  Carefree will never be the same, for better or, as I fear, for worse.

Thank you for your time.

Robert G. Wilson

January 30, 2015

 

 

I am afraid that the ASU project would not do what they hope it will. We are inundated with performing arts centers throughout the Valley. Shoot even Higley has one. The end result being a lot of venues that are rarely full, competing with the casinos for “big name draws” like Englebert Humperdink, with the taxpayers making up the difference.  As far as “branding” goes, works on great on cattle since it’s a permanent mark.  Doesn’t really work long term for cities due to the constantly changing trends and makeup of the areas. Scottsdale is a prime example. In their schizophrenic race to brand themselves as other than “too”  Western they are becoming a joke. Downtown becomes Surf City USA, Old Town looks like a run down version of a TV Western set, as no one wants to put money into the area due to “rebranding”. The Waterfront area isn’t turning out as expected as no one really had a clue what to do, so they sit and spin and hope more “big name” businesses want to join in the fun.  I actually think they ought sell it to Disney and make an adult version of pirates of the Caribbean, but that’s another issue.  

My humble suggestion is go to your roots and ride the brand. Take what works and make it better and don’t fall into the trap of trying to compete with areas that are having issues. The reason CAREFREE has been a destination is because of its independent and unique community.

Laurie P.