Emory pursuing annexation into Atlanta (Decatur, Cleveland: affordable housing, title, affordable)

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

Perfect.

So now that it is advantageous to this private organization to join the city, they get to do so and quickly reap the benefits w/o really paying in or putting the effort into passing this tax.

This project is going to take up a massive portion of the funds the residents of the city approved for numerous projects. If this comes at the expense of other projects, it seems wrong for something that isn't even part of Atlanta to suddenly swoop in and take it from the residents that approved it.

I wouldn't vote against annexation (if I can) at this point, but I understand how this feels wrong. Understand, I know that feelings should mean little when up against facts. But I understand where those feelings are coming from and they seem legit to me

"Private Organization". How convenient. The Emory/CDC is a massive employer, and is responsible for a significant amount of human traffic in this metro daily. So in dismissing Emory's desire to facilitate this move, you're also dismissing the needs of a great many people to reduce their commuting pressures.
What exactly are these 'other projects' that will suffer under this scenario, anyway?

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

"Private Organization". How convenient. The Emory/CDC is a massive employer, and is responsible for a significant amount of human traffic in this metro daily. So in dismissing Emory's desire to facilitate this move, you're also dismissing the needs of a great many people to reduce their commuting pressures.
What exactly are these 'other projects' that will suffer under this scenario, anyway?

Why so defensive? Good Lord. Emory is a private organization. Deal with it.

You're the only one being dismissive btw. I recognize the benefits of the expansion and also the sentiment that they are jumping the line. Like everything wrong in politics these days.... THE WORLD ISN'T BINARY.

You do know that the tax is not enough to fund every project on the list, right? So when something gets funded, other projects have to wait (likely a very long time) or just don't come to fruition. So with that said, I would much rather see the entirety of Beltline transit built and funded. This would be of much greater benefit to the actual CoA than a line to existing development (that isn't even in the city) IMO. What is going to grow Atlanta's tax revenue more? I will admit I don't know for certain, but it seems to me new development taking place in undeveloped and underdeveloped areas would be the winner there.

and again, I both understand the benefits of and the potential downsides to the Clifton Corridor. I wouldn't bother calling that dismissive.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

Why so defensive? Good Lord. Emory is a private organization. Deal with it.

You're the only one being dismissive btw. I recognize the benefits of the expansion and also the sentiment that they are jumping the line. Like everything wrong in politics these days.... THE WORLD ISN'T BINARY.

You do know that the tax is not enough to fund every project on the list, right? So when something gets funded, other projects have to wait (likely a very long time) or just don't come to fruition. So with that said, I would much rather see the entirety of Beltline transit built and funded. This would be of much greater benefit to the actual CoA than a line to existing development (that isn't even in the city) IMO. What is going to grow Atlanta's tax revenue more? I will admit I don't know for certain, but it seems to me new development taking place in undeveloped and underdeveloped areas would be the winner there.

and again, I both understand the benefits of and the potential downsides to the Clifton Corridor. I wouldn't bother calling that dismissive.

I'm not the one being defensive, except maybe to this point I've seen no clear argument out of you or Sen. Fort as to why this annexation shouldn't happen. How could the money be better spent? Present your argument. I'm all ears.

[Gulch]

Originally Posted by arjay57

I can think of many ways Emory could start helping to make up for being tax exempt and to contribute its fair share to bringing rail transit to its front door.

We get it, you want them to gut their endowment to pay for it.

[tikigod311]

Originally Posted by LovinDecatur

I'm not the one being defensive, except maybe to this point I've seen no clear argument out of you or Sen. Fort as to why this annexation shouldn't happen. How could the money be better spent? Present your argument. I'm all ears.

I've already answered your questions. But, for your benefit...

Just because you aren't offended by Emory swooping in and taking a massive chunk of a pie that was meant to be split b/t the CoA, doesn't mean that feeling that way is wrong. Don't forget, this is a pie that everyone else said no to and the CoA had to take on alone. That's Atlanta's pie, we earned it. Emory didn't. I'm not against sharing and making that pie bigger by any means, but there should be an appropriate contribution. It doesn't really sound like Emory and the area will be able to do that w/ this annexation alone.

and further, to quote a wise man:

I would much rather see the entirety of Beltline transit built and funded. This would be of much greater benefit to the actual CoA than a line to existing development (that isn't even in the city) IMO. What is going to grow Atlanta's tax revenue more? I will admit I don't know for certain, but it seems to me new development taking place in undeveloped and underdeveloped areas would be the winner there.

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by Gulch

We get it, you want them to gut their endowment to pay for it.

You keep saying that, even though I've suggested MANY other ways they could make a significant contribution.

There are no doubt plenty of other ways they could participate as well.

How about a public private partnership? Suppose Emory and some of the other big mules went into the capital markets and used their financial muscle to help underwrite some transit bonds? They could be repaid with fare collections, deferred increases in property values, parking surcharges and/or any number of other things.

I truly don't get why big businesses and institutions are considered sacred cows.

[Iconographer]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

I've already answered your questions. But, for your benefit...

Just because you aren't offended by Emory swooping in and taking a massive chunk of a pie that was meant to be split b/t the CoA, doesn't mean that feeling that way is wrong. Don't forget, this is a pie that everyone else said no to and the CoA had to take on alone. That's Atlanta's pie, we earned it. Emory didn't. I'm not against sharing and making that pie bigger by any means, but there should be an appropriate contribution. It doesn't really sound like Emory and the area will be able to do that w/ this annexation alone.

and further, to quote a wise man:

By saying you have a 'feeling' doesn't tell me anything. So you haven't answered anything. Present an argument against this Emory plan or not. What Emory is contributing, if nothing else, is a great number of potential commuters to the pool.

[LovelySummer]

I understand those that are saying Emory should pay their fair share. Contrary to popular belief, Emory is not suffering for money, by any means. There have been many options suggested and Emory joining COA should be to the benefit of both parties. Strategically, Emory has already shown their hand - they want to be in COA bc they are vulnerable to cityhood elsewhere if they do not. Therefore, a thinking negotiator would recognize that Emory is very likely to give a bit, if asked. They want in and have made no secret of it. It is COA's play. If the attys dont get more out of it for COA that is their fault.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by jeoff

The CoA spokesperson seems to be channeling their inner Trump --Fort is currently within two percentage of points of hitting a spot in the runoff. Sounds like he's got some folks worried.

Sounds like a Reed quote. The guy is pretty nasty with people he doesn't like or whenever someone challenges him. VERY thin skinned.

[bu2]

Originally Posted by tikigod311

You don't understand the sentiment? A large private organization that hadn't payed into Atlanta all the sudden wants in? We do all the work and they reap the benefits. That's a bit off putting.

Now practically, I get why connecting Emory is a good idea. But the way this happened doesn't seem right.

From MARTA's planning, the North Fulton line, Hamilton Homes extension, Stonecrest/I-20 extension and Clifton Corridor have all been planned for a long time and all had high priority. Its actually the beltline that has been "cutting in line." They didn't even have planned routes until weeks before the TSPLOST vote. Just before the vote they came out with something similar to their current plan. They apparently figured out running in a circle 4 miles from town didn't generate much ridership.