On May 21, we reported that the Oro Valley Council unanimously approved the Master Plan for Steam Pump Ranch.
In our posting, we wrote; "One question that was not asked is this: What happens if the Pima County bond issue is defeated?"
In his comment on our posting, The Zee Man asked; "Why the taxpayers should pay for this?"
In a May 29 Az Star article on the Steam Pump Ranch, Bill Adler, member of the OV P &Z Commission, and on the task force, had this to say.
"People need to recognize that and understand that in the future they're going to be asked to assess themselves in one form or another for the cost of not only rehabilitating the property, but maintaining it and operating it as a tourist park."
Before we get too far ahead of ourselves, the citizens would do well to understand what's involved in the financing of this facility.
Read the Az Star article here.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/85737/241066
4 comments:
Emotionally, as a member of the 'nostalgia generation' I would like this proposal to become a reality. However, if this was such a 'valuable' asset to the history of this area, why was it allowed to go into such a state of disrepair for all of these years; there seems to have been no pride of ownership. While there are some tremendously successful historical preservations and restorations i.e.
the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina, San Simeon in California, etc., there have been many localized attempts throughout the country which have fiscally failed to 'stand' the test as well as a failure even to attract local doings and usually end up being strictly school outings, government meeting places, and so on. In addition, I am still at loss as to understanding the financial arrangements that might be of questionable status. There's an awful lot on the plate right now - Naranja Town Site, Arroyo Grande, the Town Center, etc. and all of this while we have a very questionable economic situation at hand. I'M TORN.
And I accidentally omitted:
Thank you Bill Adler for your clear and concise presentation
of the need for questioning the viability of this project.
Zev,
The complications surrounding the acquisition of the Steam Pump Ranch property would make an attorney's head spin (which might be worth the price of admission just to watch). The private owners of the ranch allowed it to fall into disrepair, and after that, it was a matter of combining County bond funds with town funds to come up with an equitable price for the property and to give the landowner time and funds to re-locate.
When it's completed, Steam Pump Ranch should be a showplace--not on the scale of San Simeon, but appropriate to the size of the community.
Let's not get it confused with the Naranja Town Site park, about which all voters will have their say in November.
boobie baby
I think one can gather that I 'lean' towards that which was approved by Council for the
restoration and utilization of Steam Pump Ranch. My referencing the Naranja Town Site was in NO way meant to 'confuse' two (or more) issues. I do question the FISCAL CAPACITY for 'getting' ALL that is in the works for this community. There does seem to be some confusion as to how this project, IN ENGLISH, is going to be paid for ALONG with those other projects whether they be the Town Site, the Park, Arroyo Grande, or whatever. I, personally, would like a couple of new cars, a bigger house, a new wardrobe (if I were a rich man, dai, dai, dai........), but, my income will not allow for the outgo; so, I must prioritize. In the best of scenarios, how much CAN we have and HOW will we pay for it, and how will we truly 'know' the maintenance costs and/or the generated income? Yes, I know that there are 'comparments' of budget designations as well as sources, but, in the end, money still has to cover it all and projections are generally educated guesses. So, please, for me as well as others, enlighten us. Understand that, my wife was the budget coordinator for Wake County in North Carolina for many years and there were similar circumstances that existed there relative to 'historic preservation', facilities, facilities utilization, etc.; it is usually the utilization projections that fall short and thus the expected income. Since I have seen project 'failure', I cannot help but be somewhat of a skeptic..
It is evident to me that you have an in-depth knowledge that there are huge complexities that involve municipalities, that you maintain your passion for reason as well as desired amenties, and I do respect you for that. So, please, in no way are my statements or questions intended to be facetious or off-handed; simply, the community needs to know.
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