Barry Real Estate Continues To Bilk Fort Wayne Taxpayers

Posted by Jeff Pruitt - 2/26/08 @ 1:32 pm - Filed Under City Council, Featured

The city (and 7 members of city council) attempted to retroactively raise our property taxes but now they feel the need to give Barry Real Estate a $20 Million tax abatement for building a few retail shops and condos as part of the Harrison Square project. How much money do we have to give these guys and when will it end? If council approves this we’re literally going to be subsidizing the purchase of $200k-$300k condos. Is that the best use of our tax dollars? I personally think it’s an insult to many people in our community that truly need the help and aren’t getting it.

How many more ways can the city find to line the pockets of Hardball Capital and Barry Real Estate? The jobs that will be created by this project will not even meet the city’s own standard of 150% of minimum wage. Yes, you read that right, we’re going to be putting cash back into the developers’ wallet for creating jobs that make less than $9/hour. We were told the subsidization of McDonald’s was a “special case”. Then we were told the same thing about Subway. Now we’re doing it again for Barry Real Estate’s retail shops. When does a “special case” become precedent?

And what a precedent we will be setting. Come to Fort Wayne and bilk the taxpayers for tens of millions of dollars while simultaneously creating low-paying jobs. Not only is it ok, the aristocracy will all clamor around you slapping you on the back and telling you what a great thing it is you’re doing.

Meanwhile the rest of us will just keep paying our tax increases wondering if there will ever be a day that local government will speak for us…

UPDATE: I forgot to mention that the public hearing on this matter will be held at tonight’s city council meeting. So if you want to speak your mind on the matter then show up at 5:30 at the city-county building

Photo by Stephen Parker from Around Fort Wayne

Comments

3 Responses to “Barry Real Estate Continues To Bilk Fort Wayne Taxpayers”

  1. Kevin Knuth on February 26th, 2008 3:02 pm

    my prediction- it will pass 7-2

  2. Sam T. on February 26th, 2008 3:06 pm

    Kevin, I say it will be 8-1. I think even Tom Smith is starting to realize that he wants to be part of this thing when it succeeds. I think J. Schoaff will be the only “nay”.

  3. Jeff Pruitt on February 26th, 2008 3:14 pm

    I’m sure it will pass but that’s not really the point.

    Would either of you care to defend the awarding of a tax abatement in this scenario?

    1. It’s not necessary as the development will happen regardless
    2. The jobs won’t meet the city’s own wage guideline
    3. It’s subsidized housing for the wealthiest among us

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