Feeling the need to take a break from crime news and such, here's some fun stuff to share:
Talk about book work: Last week, 41 different people volunteered a total of 303 3/4 hours to help make the summer Friends of the Brentwood Library Book Sale a success. Just how successful was it? Try $10,860 successful. What a great bunch of volunteers they are. Thanks too to the hundreds of people who donate books to make the quarterly sales possible, and those that come to buy.
Sweeney's loss, scout's gain: It wasn't quite a full house at the City Commission meeting last night. Commission Joe Sweeney took a rare night off, so the invocation he was down to give was offered instead by Commissioner Paul Webb. So who did that leave to lead the Pledge of Allegiance? Commissioner Webb was down for that one.
No concerns. Mayor Betsy Crossley tapped Boy Scout Andrew Wilson who was in the audience to lead the unusually large crowd. Wilson, a member of Troop 1 and a rising 8th grader at Brentwood Academy, did a fine job.
How about those chairs! Anyone who's visited the Municipal Center's board room in the past month or so couldn't have helped but notice that something was missing -- the permanent chairs. They have made their return, each recovered in royal blue upholstery fabric and accented in metal trim dressed up with a fresh coat of black paint.
The commissioners went on and on about how great they looked and how "green" they were, despite their eye-popping blue. The city saved a bundle of cash by refurbishing instead of replacing.
"We didn't throw the old ones away, we didn't take up any landfill space," Commissioner Regina Smithson noted.
All true. But after sitting in one of them for close to 90 minutes, I wish the city had invested a little more to have them restuffed.
At least they're easier on the eyes, if not the seat!
Showing posts with label Regina Smithson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Regina Smithson. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Beautiful morning in Brentwood
Good morning!
Thanks to all who left notes or sent messages about my posting on friends Sara and Anne. They all meant more than you know. Writing, and in turn sharing, their stories was the best way I knew to pay tribute to them both.
Now it's time to get back to Brentwood news, and there's a lot to share. Most will come as the day progresses, but let's start it out with some good news: a shout out to baby Reid Allen Smithson, new grandson of City Commissioner Regina Smithson.
Little Reid (8 pounds, 9 ounces) has no idea what he's about to be in for. Family is No. 1 for the large Smithson clan and from all accounts they are there to support each other whenever and wherever needed. So it was no surprise to hear his grandmother boast that he was at last weekend's Williamson County swim team championships --- on his 7-day birthday.
Congrats to all.
Thanks to all who left notes or sent messages about my posting on friends Sara and Anne. They all meant more than you know. Writing, and in turn sharing, their stories was the best way I knew to pay tribute to them both.
Now it's time to get back to Brentwood news, and there's a lot to share. Most will come as the day progresses, but let's start it out with some good news: a shout out to baby Reid Allen Smithson, new grandson of City Commissioner Regina Smithson.
Little Reid (8 pounds, 9 ounces) has no idea what he's about to be in for. Family is No. 1 for the large Smithson clan and from all accounts they are there to support each other whenever and wherever needed. So it was no surprise to hear his grandmother boast that he was at last weekend's Williamson County swim team championships --- on his 7-day birthday.
Congrats to all.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
On TIFs and Town Center
Thursday work sesson open to public
No doubt it won’t be as entertaining as last week’s public forum sponsored by the city's Environmental Quality Coordinating Committee, but Thursday’s special City Commission work session may prove to be far more valuable.
Property and business owners in the Town Center area have been invited to hear, along with the commission, a presentation on tax increment financing (TIF) options available under Tennessee law for the city’s downtown commercial area.
The meeting begins at 5 p.m. in the commission chambers.
So, just what is a TIF anyway?
Attorney Mark Mamantov will share information on what TIFs are, what's needed for them to work effectively, and the legal aspects and requirements associated with their use within the Town Center area.
Rick Delaney from the investment firm Morgan-Keegan will address the practical applications of issuing TIF bonds in today’s credit market; the attractiveness of TIF bonds to investors; the potential risk to the city, and the use of TIF Bonds for projects such as the Nissan headquarters, which opened in Franklin last year.
“This is mainly a meeting to disseminate some facts to the commission through a workshop concerning development of the Town Center,” Mayor Betsy Crossley told me Wednesday. She explained that in a nutshell, TIFs use the property tax increases collected from an improved property to carry out public improvements in the area through the use of bonds rather than using the new taxes to pay for general fund services.
Since Tennessee laws concerning TIFs differ from other states, Mamantov will outline them and answer commission members’ questions.
Private/public sectors must work together
Crossley acknowledged that Thursday’s meeting will be rather limited “since it is regarding a specific technical aspect of development.” She added, however, that she is “happy that there are individuals discussing development in Town Center like (Brentwood architect Walter Kassidon’s) Brentwood Future group. As you have said, there is going to have to be public/private partnership to bring a plan together for the redevelopment.
“… I look forward to continued future dialog with Town Center landowners and developers regarding what the vision for that area should be.”
David Green, spokesperson for the grassroots Citizens for Town Center (www.brentwoodsfuture.org), said the organization is “delighted to see the City Commission examine alternate ideas for moving the Town Center project ahead. While we have not taken a stand on TIF, we think it is a great idea for the city to examine any and all ideas for helping advance the progress of Town Center redevelopment.”
“TIFs are very complicated and can be a great benefit for our city,” Mac Kelton, a Brentwood resident and local investor, said. “It all depends on attitude. If the approach is ‘how can we do this?’ then great ways will be found. If the approach is ‘what can we do to prevent this from happening?’ then we will get different results.
“I am looking forward to see the approach taken. Forward thinking and can-do spirit is needed.”
Respect for property owners' rights
“As a City Commissioner I would love to see the property owners, the chamber and the city all working together to really push and promote this redevelopment,” Commissioner Regina Smithson wrote me. “As I have stated from the beginning, I believe every property owner has a right to develop their property the way they want and on their time table. Our city government can and should only do so much.
“I welcome any and all property owners or any developer with a plan to bring it to me. I will be glad to sit down and do what I can as a City Commissioner to help make it happen.”
The redevelopment of Town Center, defined as the 55 acres roughly bordered by Old Hickory Boulevard, Church Street, I-65 and East Park Drive, has been a major source of hope and frustration since first discussed as a Leadership Brentwood project a decade ago.
So far the city has invested more than $2 million in infrastructure improvements within the C4 Town Center zoning district.
Thursday’s public meeting takes place in the Brentwood Municipal building, 5211 Maryland Way.
No doubt it won’t be as entertaining as last week’s public forum sponsored by the city's Environmental Quality Coordinating Committee, but Thursday’s special City Commission work session may prove to be far more valuable.
Property and business owners in the Town Center area have been invited to hear, along with the commission, a presentation on tax increment financing (TIF) options available under Tennessee law for the city’s downtown commercial area.
The meeting begins at 5 p.m. in the commission chambers.
So, just what is a TIF anyway?
Attorney Mark Mamantov will share information on what TIFs are, what's needed for them to work effectively, and the legal aspects and requirements associated with their use within the Town Center area.
Rick Delaney from the investment firm Morgan-Keegan will address the practical applications of issuing TIF bonds in today’s credit market; the attractiveness of TIF bonds to investors; the potential risk to the city, and the use of TIF Bonds for projects such as the Nissan headquarters, which opened in Franklin last year.
“This is mainly a meeting to disseminate some facts to the commission through a workshop concerning development of the Town Center,” Mayor Betsy Crossley told me Wednesday. She explained that in a nutshell, TIFs use the property tax increases collected from an improved property to carry out public improvements in the area through the use of bonds rather than using the new taxes to pay for general fund services.
Since Tennessee laws concerning TIFs differ from other states, Mamantov will outline them and answer commission members’ questions.
Private/public sectors must work together
Crossley acknowledged that Thursday’s meeting will be rather limited “since it is regarding a specific technical aspect of development.” She added, however, that she is “happy that there are individuals discussing development in Town Center like (Brentwood architect Walter Kassidon’s) Brentwood Future group. As you have said, there is going to have to be public/private partnership to bring a plan together for the redevelopment.
“… I look forward to continued future dialog with Town Center landowners and developers regarding what the vision for that area should be.”
David Green, spokesperson for the grassroots Citizens for Town Center (www.brentwoodsfuture.org), said the organization is “delighted to see the City Commission examine alternate ideas for moving the Town Center project ahead. While we have not taken a stand on TIF, we think it is a great idea for the city to examine any and all ideas for helping advance the progress of Town Center redevelopment.”
“TIFs are very complicated and can be a great benefit for our city,” Mac Kelton, a Brentwood resident and local investor, said. “It all depends on attitude. If the approach is ‘how can we do this?’ then great ways will be found. If the approach is ‘what can we do to prevent this from happening?’ then we will get different results.
“I am looking forward to see the approach taken. Forward thinking and can-do spirit is needed.”
Respect for property owners' rights
“As a City Commissioner I would love to see the property owners, the chamber and the city all working together to really push and promote this redevelopment,” Commissioner Regina Smithson wrote me. “As I have stated from the beginning, I believe every property owner has a right to develop their property the way they want and on their time table. Our city government can and should only do so much.
“I welcome any and all property owners or any developer with a plan to bring it to me. I will be glad to sit down and do what I can as a City Commissioner to help make it happen.”
The redevelopment of Town Center, defined as the 55 acres roughly bordered by Old Hickory Boulevard, Church Street, I-65 and East Park Drive, has been a major source of hope and frustration since first discussed as a Leadership Brentwood project a decade ago.
So far the city has invested more than $2 million in infrastructure improvements within the C4 Town Center zoning district.
Thursday’s public meeting takes place in the Brentwood Municipal building, 5211 Maryland Way.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)