Downtown Johnson City re-development? New plans? (Kingsport: apartment, loft, property tax)

[SarahSal]

I sent you a DM...
What a gorgeous weekend here in beautiful NETN!

[SarahSal]

Parts of an article below that I found in the JC Press.
It's hard to understand why the city is 'dragging its feet on this'..It seems obvious that this building could be a real asset to the city AND especially downtown. Anyone know anything more about this? It seems that whenever Downtown JC is involved, what inevitably follows is foot dragging. (As I've quoted my 13 year-old grandaughter before ---- "Bureaucratic inertia"?)

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"With an overcrowded health department on their hands, Washington County officials are growing increasingly frustrated with Johnson City’s indecision and continued delay of action on a pending building swap that would provide the health department with 12,000 to 14,000 more square feet than it now has.


Mayor George Jaynes told those present at the county’s budget committee meeting Monday morning that he had hoped to have more information to share concerning the pending building swap. However, the city has yet to decide whether or not they want to go ahead with the deal. While the county currently owns and operates the health department, the building sits on land owned by the city." ........More in link

http://www.johnsoncitypress.com/09/News/article.php?ID=68827

[jabogitlu]

Saw that. It's obvious to me (and hopefully to others) that Johnson City's various government factions are pig-headedly stubborn and overwhelmingly resistant to any kind of change.

This is bad enough, but the illustrative nature of situations like this can have SERIOUS repercussions outside the deal itself. If I were locating a business here, or hell, even looking to relocate to the TRI, I would investigate how well the city and county governments cooperate, and overall how the various governments function. Right now JC/Wash. Co. are mired in all sorts of muck and not moving forward on several good development projects. Kingsport/Sullivan Co. seem to be way ahead.

These guys need to grow up, look ahead to the future, and start some balls rolling. Before some heads do.

[SarahSal]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

Saw that. It's obvious to me (and hopefully to others) that Johnson City's various government factions are pig-headedly stubborn and overwhelmingly resistant to any kind of change.

This is bad enough, but the illustrative nature of situations like this can have SERIOUS repercussions outside the deal itself. If I were locating a business here, or hell, even looking to relocate to the TRI, I would investigate how well the city and county governments cooperate, and overall how the various governments function. Right now JC/Wash. Co. are mired in all sorts of muck and not moving forward on several good development projects. Kingsport/Sullivan Co. seem to be way ahead.

These guys need to grow up, look ahead to the future, and start some balls rolling. Before some heads do.

OMG - That was so well-said, it needs to appear twice! Thanks for your comments..

I *truly* do not understand why the city does (and has done) what they do (bad grammar but you get the point).. It's indefensible and is a mystery to many of us. It has been to me for well over a decade - and I cannot tell you how many city meetings on downtown I've been to.

[rccrain]

Jab, Sarah. Have you ever considered running for city council?

[SarahSal]

Originally Posted by rccrain

Jab, Sarah. Have you ever considered running for city council?

If that's not said *facetiously*, then it's very kind of you to suggest (can't speak for Jab of course)!
As for me, I did try a bunch of orgs in JC like the Community Development Board (great, dedicated group of folks) and several downtown groups. Maybe it was me, but over the years I became disillusioned with working aggressively for change but being met with resistance on too many fronts - along with the aforementioned "bureacucratic inertia". Plus, as a former Yankee, I tend to be a little bit 'outspoken' (the tell it like it is approach) and sometimes that does not sit too well here. Ideas from 'outsiders' often tend to be met with blank stares.

So, as much as we loved downtown JC, my husband and I finally decided to plant ourselves half the year in our other world which is Mexico where I am now. But I'll be back to beautiful NE TN in less than a week.

As to Jabolitu, I'm *very* impressed by him, too! He has so much to offer with his innate intelligence and in-depth understanding of many issues, I would love to see that young man run for some local office or at least start by getting involved in one of the more progressive gov. boards or groups.

Hmmm, now that would be an interesting topic for discussion. Just what groups or orgs in the TRI are the most progressive? I know which group I'd start with (and make MB proud)..

[jabogitlu]

Hahaha, ... let me catch my breath.

I can't imagine myself running for any kind office or sitting on any kind of board. I too tend to be very outspoken and if I think your idea is rubbish, I'll tell you so. (Also known as: I'm pretty sure I'm always right.) Let's just say I'm not very "political" and combine that with the fact that I'm pretty young, I doubt that would ever happen around here.

But thanks for the votes of confidence, guys! I'm just telling it like it is, lol.

[SarahSal]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

Hahaha, ... let me catch my breath.

I can't imagine myself running for any kind office or sitting on any kind of board. I too tend to be very outspoken and if I think your idea is rubbish, I'll tell you so. (Also known as: I'm pretty sure I'm always right.) Let's just say I'm not very "political" and combine that with the fact that I'm pretty young, I doubt that would ever happen around here.

But thanks for the votes of confidence, guys! I'm just telling it like it is, lol.

"Telling it like it is" in 'politics' can be the kiss of death. But for those who see obvious solutions and don't want to waste time and energy, sometimes it's just an automatic response! I've never thought that was a bad thing - except when it comes to 'group think'. Then everything so often gets weighted down and it's hard to reach a consensus.

That's one reason I always thought there should be an ELECTED rep for downtown - someone who would be responsible to the folks who have a stake there - a downtown mayor of sorts. Not another *appointed* bureaucrat but someone who would really have the downtown peoples' best interests at heart.. Silly me, what a crazy thought...

[Bristvol]

One of the Commissioners told me last Friday the City definitely wants this to happen, but to commit to the $900,000 (half of the $1.8 million), is simply not feasible until their budget is done...which will be in the next month. I trust this Commissioner and really believe the city wants to move forward.

I am a downtown resident (Tipton St.) and want the same things you folks are discussing. I am brand new to this board and look forward to some active and progressive discussions.

Thanks....

[SarahSal]

A big welcome to you!!
Everyone on this forum cares a lot about downtown JC and having a fellow downtowner posting is a huge boost..

Hope you can continue to share in the many conversations we've had and are having about the future well-being of this important little city center..
Best regards, SS