B.S.F. Forum - A Bravenet.com Forum

Shannon

IP: 12.190.113.67

Dec 1, 06 - 9:25 AM

The Settles Hotel

I submitted this letter to the editor of the Big Spring Herald yesterday evening.

Editor:

I have been following the story of the Settles Hotel with some interest of late and would like to share my thoughts on the matter.

We as a city first heard about the possible sale of the Settles when the City Council voted to advertise for bids on the 10th of October. They voted to again advertise on the 23rd of October and approved the single bid of $75000 by Mr. Ryan’s company on the 17th of November. Mayor McEwen immediately targeted the money for “downtown” (ie “Settles” area) development.

According to the Texas Secretary of State, the Settles Hotel Development Company L.L.C. was formed on June 12th, 2006. Obviously, Mr. Ryan was confident enough about winning the “competitive” bid process to name his company after the hotel a full 5 months prior to winning the bid. Mayor McEwen has stated that he has been working for months to bring this project to Big Spring.

At what cost?

Since the Settles Hotel Development Company was formed, the mayor and the council have gotten across a $9 million bond project that will improve our downtown (ie “Settles”) area. The mayor and the council also agreed to apply the purchase price of the Settles to “downtown improvements”.

Now, Moore Development is working to give an additional $3 million to Mr. Ryan’s company.

The one thing I haven’t heard yet is this:

Has Mr. Ryan’s check cleared yet?

Please don’t misunderstand me; I think that the plan to renovate the Settles is a great idea and a great thing for the city of Big Spring. I just ask those people who get starry eyed over the deal to maintain a healthy dose of common sense and don’t forget the past deals with the hotel. Before approving any money to the project, why don’t we (or Moore Development) simply ask the Settles Hotel Development Company to put up a completion bond in the amount of $12 million (the estimated completion cost of the project)? With a completion bond, if for some unknown reason the project founders, we the citizens of Big Spring can continue the work begun here and restore the Hotel Settles back to its former glory.

Or does that make too much sense for the Mayor, the City Council, and the Moore Board?

Sincerely,

Shannon D. Thomason, Malcontent

Shannon

IP: 12.190.113.67

Dec 14th, 2006 - 10:47 AM

Re: The Settles Hotel

An open question for anyone who might happen to know...

Does the city fire department have the capability to battle a fire or rescue people from the upper floors of the Settles in case of a fire or other disaster?

Just curious,

=Shannon=

JE

IP: 69.55.201.3

Dec 14th, 2006 - 11:37 AM

Re: The Settles Hotel

No, they sure don't. Restoring the settles hotel is a completely worthless and insane idea. I would gladly rather see that money go towards the demolition of that hotel instead. Sinking that much money into a hotel that will never operate in the black is denying taxpayers money that should go towards renovations to improve the lives of the citizens, not some hotel that was shut down long ago. Secondly, if we have this much money to throw at a "great" hotel that was bought for the outstanding sum of $75,000

Why wasnt that money used to pay the difference in the water price increase passed on to the citizens? Or any other number of projects?

JE

IP: 70.249.172.133

Dec 14th, 2006 - 7:08 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

I was also driving past it today and wondered, if they do actually follow through with the grand restoration of this illustrious hotel.

Where are people going to park?

Shannon

IP: 68.225.62.124

Dec 15th, 2006 - 10:46 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

Can you say "condemned"?

Look for some of the buildings around it to be bought up (if they haven't already been) and leveled. The people who don't sell out will have their property condemned and taken by the city for the "economic good" of the city.

There was talk (either at the Moore board meeting or perhaps by illustrious Mayor on the radio tuesday) about developing a park area around the hotel. I would imagine 3rd and 4th streets would be diverted to allow more room.

While we're on the topic, I'd like to point out something else.

At the Moore Board meeting last Friday, during the public comment session, I asked a few questions about the project.

My first question was: "Is it your understanding that the Settles Hotel project is contingent upon recieving the $3 million grant from Moore Development?". After a bit of hemming and hawing, the answer was YES. In other words, the project will go Tango Uniform if they don't get the 3 mill.

Illustrious Mayor was asked the same question by A.J. on "Feedback" on Tuesday.
All I can say is...listen to his answer by going to http://feedbackkbyg.blog.com/ and clicking on the link to the interview.

=Shannon=

Chris

IP: 70.255.98.10

Dec 30th, 2006 - 3:49 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

Haven't seen much on the Settles project lately. Anything new?

Shannon

IP: 24.255.70.49

Dec 30th, 2006 - 11:12 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

Nothing official Chris. But lots of theories abound.

One of the best things lately, though not "official" was Joyce Crooker's letter to the editor. Mrs. Crooker brings up some very valid points.

And, as far as we know, the check STILL hasn't cleared.

In other words, the sale hasn't closed yet.

=Shannon=

Chris

IP: 70.247.134.233

Jan 3rd, 2007 - 7:11 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

?

JE

IP: 70.249.172.133

Jan 5th, 2007 - 3:28 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

Isnt the 3 million also going to include the purchase price? Heck, I'll give 80,000 for the hotel settles, as long as the Moore Development Board is going to buy it for me, the sky is the limit.

Chris

IP: 68.90.138.126

Jan 9th, 2007 - 8:47 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

Great point, JE.

*!*

IP: 70.246.65.77

Jan 28th, 2007 - 12:49 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

What IF [and that's a BIG "if"] there's a chance a re-developed Settles Hotel might even partially resemble Oklahoma City's reworked Skirvin Hotel? I know, I know, Big Spring, aka "Afghanispring," may be trending more with Jalalabad than OKC [for instance, now our public water supply is in question: why no first world, back-up emergency pumps?] these days, but "if" is a mighty powerful word when coupled with the imagination, so please play along should you choose to view the following links:

http://www.skirvinhilton.com/default.asp

video: http://www.ksbitv.com/video/5166842.html

http://www.marcusresorts.com/press_room/Skirvin%20renovation.pdf

*!*

IP: 69.150.192.145

Feb 3rd, 2007 - 2:50 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

Assuming the Settles Hotel project happens, I hope the developer will look closely into the idea that much more than meets the eye could be going on at the Settles Hotel site, and in downtown Big Spring in general.

http://www.alexstark.com/articles/geopathicstress2.htm

http://www.feng-shui-school.com/dowsing-course.htm

I am also concerned that strict historic preservation guidelines will disallow the addition of balconies [recessed or wrought iron], assuming that apartments/condos are part of the redevelopment plan. Personal, private outdoor space, even if it's shoe box sized, is something that is close to an ingrained modern necessity, in my opinion. Of course, someone attracted to the views or the novelty of high rise living in West Texas might (initially?) be able to overlook not having a a balcony. Comments?

*!*

IP: 69.155.183.1

Feb 4th, 2007 - 4:11 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

Look familiar? http://www.darkpassage.com/postmortems/cadillac.htm

Sound familiar?
http://www.hotel-online.com/News/PR2005_4th/Nov05_BookCadillac.html
"...If the vacant hotel stood as a dreary symbol of Detroit's decline, the renovation project will mark not only a physical remake, but also a psychological boost for the community, Jackson said. "It will be a shot in the arm for all of downtown," Jackson said. "The Book-Cadillac is a real icon in this community, and this restoration will be a project that we can all be proud of." First opened in 1924 and designed in an Italian-Renaissance grandeur by architect Louis Kamper, the Book-Cadillac's fortunes declined with those of Detroit in the decades following World War II. The hotel finally closed in the mid-1980s and since then had deteriorated to a near-ruin, with broken windows, extensive water damage and most material of value stripped away..."

I don't see so many balconies, so perhaps the need for personal, private outdoor space isn't as important to others [but Detroit isn't Big Spring, either]:
http://www.cnu.org/node/438
"...By November 2006, 50 of the 67 condos had been sold, with prices ranging from $279,500 to $1,375,000..."

Ferchill Group Book-Cadillac webpage: http://ferchillgroup.com/bookcadillac2.shtml

*!*

IP: 65.70.110.57

Feb 24th, 2007 - 12:41 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

I've been asking around a bit about the Settles Hotel project... still no answers. The silence is deafening.

Are "title problems" with the Settles Hotel property preventing the sale from closing?

Have the Moore Board for Development, Inc. directors received additional information which has caused concern regarding the legality of expending $3 million of 4-A tax money on the Settles project?

Cass Blackshear

IP: 172.25.206.42

Feb 26th, 2007 - 3:45 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

It's time for Big Spring to move on with it's life. Tear that curse down and let's get on with our future. That building represents everything that is WRONG with Big Spring. We hold on to the past way too much instead of looking at how we can improve the future of this town. It WAS a great hotel. It will always be a part of our history, but if anyone actually thinks it will ever be livable is living in a dream world. Instead of focusing all of this attention and money on something that is already dead, why not focus all of that energy on creating something new and beautiful?
Tear it down!
Just my opinion.
Cass Blackshear

*!*

IP: 70.255.103.20

Feb 27th, 2007 - 3:52 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

The www.settleshotel.com website is now online.

[If you use your mouse and highlight the written information in the dark orange frame, it is easier to read.]

JE

IP: 75.36.96.120

Feb 28th, 2007 - 5:22 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

I'll destroy it as soon as the Moore board decides to buy it for me and not the other gentleman.
How that isn't looked at with close scrutiny is beyond me.

Shannon

IP: 24.255.70.49

Feb 28th, 2007 - 11:38 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

Trust me JE...it is.

=Shannon=

*!*

IP: 70.246.64.135

Mar 9th, 2007 - 12:54 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

Is there more going on at the Settles than we can measure? Could it be a "deviant place"?

-----------------------------------------------------

http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1745-9125.1987.tb00824.x

Abstract "It is well known that high rates of crime and deviance can persist in specific neighborhoods despite repeated, complete turnovers in the composition of their populations. That this occurs suggests that more than "kinds of people" explanations are needed to account for the ecological concentration of deviance—that we also need to develop "kinds of places" explanations. This essay attempts to codify more than a century of ecological research on crime and deviance into an integrated set of 30 propositions and offers these as a first approximation of a theory of deviant places."

*!*

IP: 69.155.183.96

Mar 13th, 2007 - 3:35 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

Finally, a solution to any contrary, holdout downtown property owners has been realized! http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=40673&in_page_id=34&ito=newsnow

t.b.

IP: 69.55.193.39

Mar 13th, 2007 - 10:35 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

We all know the powers that be have vested interests in the downtown area. Why don't we ask why they are willling to put money in the area. Not one person. other than the property holders in the downtown area want anything done. Ask the Mayor and the District Judge, and the McMahonns. Frank Parker. ASK? You only do things like this for money. T/B/UBWB

*!*

IP: 75.18.53.190

Mar 15th, 2007 - 11:10 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

I own no property in downtown Big Spring, but I'd like to see it blossom. That doesn't mean I'm wild about tax money being used to subsidize private development.

It is very apparent that Big Spring has no historic preservation ordinances in place. Preservation ordinaces would keep us from passing a Big Spring which is a garish, fun house mirror reflection of itself to future generations.

t.b.

IP: 69.55.193.39

Mar 15th, 2007 - 11:29 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

The downtown area is a lost cause. Russ thinks that without a vital downtown area we are a lost cause, he has stated this on many occasions. Why revitalize something that is not there, nor in our case needs to be. We have spent way too many tax dollars on issues pertaing to the downtown area and the Settles. Let's meove on to other issues at hand. not to enhance the property owners of the downtown areas pockbooks.t.b.

white bunny

IP: 69.55.193.39

Mar 26th, 2007 - 10:57 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

I did a little research on the Settles Hotel Development Corporation. Mr Ryan is a CPA with an emphasis in taxation. He is a speaker for state and local tax topics. Who better to benefit from free money than Mr. Ryan. He knows how to get it, and how to utilize it. The Moore Board has to know his history, if they don't there is a bigger problem than we thought. We know they do, Troy Tompins is associated with Mr. Ryan and we know everyone knows Troy and Mr. Ryan. Someone besides Mrs Crooker has to take a stand. It is starting to stink. I get $3 million based on my friends, but I don't have the $75,000 I had to put up front. I don't get it nor should the paying public, everyone that purchases anything in Big Spring proper. This has got to stop. Has anyone looked at the Moore Dev. Board. I think there are some problems with the members that need to be made public. Especially if they are using our money to fund a tax expert that is adept in escaping tax laws, at $3 mill a pop, I'll try.

*!*

IP: 69.155.96.96

Mar 27th, 2007 - 3:50 AM

Re: The Settles Hotel

I'm still trying to get a better handle on the facts and the intangibles of this Settles Hotel deal/project. I think there are "Pros" and "Con(cern)s.

Pros:

1.) Public funding for private projects isn't anything new. Look what's happened in Abilene: http://www.hotelwooten.com/breakingnews.htm

2.) Mr. Ryan's effort could inject some much needed outside "big city" intelligence regarding architecture and preservation--a standard well outside our collective grasp/expectations, or so it seems.

http://www.mineralpoint.com/living_history/where_wisconsin_began.html

"...1935 marked the beginning of a preservation movement when Bob Neal and Edgar Hellum began restoring stone houses on Shake Rag Street, now known as Pendarvis. Preservation developed on a larger scale in the 1960s when artists, craftspeople and preservationists began restoration of more historic buildings. In 1971, Mineral Point became the first city in Wisconsin listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Mineral Point is still a work in progress with restoration continuing on some of the most unique and historic architecture in the Midwest. Today, these buildings, so rich in historical significance, are art studios, galleries, shops, businesses and homes and serve as living reminders of the community where Wisconsin began."

Con(cern)s:

1.) If half-way through the Settles Hotel re-development it becomes clear that the project will cost two or three times as much as expected now, would the Moore Board be able to say "no" to requests for additional funding? In other words, there's a "money pit" concern to this, at least for me.

2.)If the Moore Board can clear all the legal hurdles re the funding of the Settles redevelopment project with 4-A monies, just what will we NET from our multi-million dollar "investment"?
http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?story_id=8784680
"Where the lights aren't bright
How two booming cities have tried, and failed, to revive their centres"

*!*

IP: 69.152.133.82

Mar 29th, 2007 - 3:23 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

I watched the latest Moore Board for Development, Inc. meeting on Big Spring Community TV. Kudos to Brint Ryan for his brilliant presentation. If I were one of his confidants, I'd ask if he employed specific, learned corporate psychology [body language, tonal variations, etc.] techniques to augment his masterly command of the issues. A question from the audience was asked which makes me wonder about the utility of mounting a polished and perfect diamond [i.e, a restored Settles Hotel] in a CrackerJack Box ring mounting [an aesthetically under-regulated downtown wide open for cartoonishly bad development]. If other development does follow around a redeveloped Settles, shouldn't we expect that it at least partially complements Brint Ryan's [and the Moore Board for Development, Inc.'s] considerable investment of time and resources? Is there even a remote chance that the City Council might be proactive re historic preservation in our city center given the prospect of a restored Settles Hotel? Brint Ryan has reportedly engaged some highly talented preservation experts: why not allow them to work out a master plan with preservation provisions/ restrictions for our downtown, giving a restored Settles Hotel the platinum mounting it deserves?

JE

IP: 68.94.153.151

Mar 30th, 2007 - 12:30 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

What is so historic about the settles hotel anyway? Why does it deserve preservation/restoration?

I personally think the only reason the settles hotel issue is being brought up is because there is 3 million waiting to line the pockets of certain individuals. The only reason why.

This town couldn't support the hotel from the start, if this town could, the hilton would set up shop.

*!*

IP: 65.67.239.140

Mar 30th, 2007 - 4:24 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

I'm not contending that the Settles Hotel is an architectural masterpiece. The Settles is worthy of preservation, in my opinion, because of its place in our history, its physical prominence. The tragic story of the Settles losing their ranch in the heart of the billion+ barrel Howard-Glasscock field makes it preservation worthy, too. I don't think Brint Ryan is going to try to re-open the building as a hotel, though at the Moore Development meeting I believe he did mention that a "boutique hotel" might be a consideration. My take on "boutique hotel" is one which has a small number of rooms, 20-30 perhaps, not several hundred. Please look around on the Wooten Hotel website link I shared in an earlier post [Settles and Wooten hotels were designed by the same architect]. I'm trying to interpret things with a positive slant, go with the flow, wait and see, and not pick this apart at this time. Please know that I don't think of the Moore Board for Development, Inc. as being the Warren Buffet or George Soros of economic development corporations: just what do we have to show for the 12-15 million the Moore Board for Development, Inc. has received from the optional 1/2% sales tax over the years? One of my friends commented that the Moore Board for Development, Inc. would likely squander the money on some other project if not this one. It is my understanding that Moore Board for Development, Inc. was planning to require the Settles Hotel Development Corporation, LLC. to spend three dollars for every dollar given by the Moore Board for Development, Inc. Has this formula changed since Brint Ryan's presentation? I didn't hear anyone ask Brint Ryan if he expects the developed property to be tax abated for 20-30 years, or will the property be on the tax roles at full, re-developed value in a matter of months? For the $3,000,000 Moore Board for Development, Inc. contribution to the project, can we expect that the entire building will be restored/ re-developed, or will the $3 million only help to re-work a fraction of the hotel? If it's a fraction, that could be a concern...But that's leaning negative...and I want this post to be upbeat and positive, so I'm going to close by posting a lyrical portion of an article I found which should convince just about anyone that the Settles does deserve preservaton consideration.

"Texans fight to save landmark lodges from the wrecking ball" By CHRIS NEWTON
Associated Press Writer

BIG SPRING, Texas (AP) It was the Roaring 20s. Entrepreneurs and
wealthy businessmen hustled into town every week, looking to expand westward
and capitalize on the new railroads. Buildings went up overnight. A
good idea could make you a fortune in a single day. A bad idea could lose
you that fortune just as quickly.

Dallas and Houston were for those who played it safe. West Texas was
for the bold and the daring.

And, after the sun set, the bold became bolder.

Men donned tuxedos and top hats, wives dressed in their finest ballroom
gowns, and all headed to the Settles Hotel.

Their destination wasn't just an imitation of a grand hotel back East.
The Settles had become a legend in the business community in its own
right.

``They just don't throw parties the ways they used to at the Settles,''
cowboy humorist Will Rogers once said.

He was right.

Red carpets streamed elegantly up the huge staircase, ascending in two
directions to the second floor. Each pillar featured ornate woodwork
accented by sculpted marble angels. The second-floor ballroom, crafted
with a delicacy lost in modern times, was alive with revelers who danced
the night away underneath one of the largest crystal chandeliers in the
world at the time.

Six decades later, the 15-story Settles still dominates Big Spring's
skyline, but it is quiet and, for now, uninhabited. The hustle-bustle of
stagecoaches, the laughter of businessmen on the brink of success, the
laconic beat of swing music are but echoes of a celebrated past.

Just a few months ago, walls of the Settles were splattered with
graffiti. Birds' nests created a stench amid the falling plaster and rotting
wood. The hallways were dark and deserted. ...

JE

IP: 68.94.153.151

Apr 1st, 2007 - 8:01 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

The settles was more famous for a known prostitue lounge.
Seems people forget that.

white bunny

IP: 69.55.193.39

Apr 2nd, 2007 - 10:23 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

I am more concerned about how easy it is to get free money from the Moore Board. It is totally retail, and the Board is supposed to only support economic development. Retail will not bring anyone here, all it will do is take away from the few people we have now working in retail. WB.

*!*

IP: 65.70.110.18

Apr 2nd, 2007 - 11:08 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

See my entry dated Mar 9th, 2007 - 12:54 PM, JE.

And now that you remind me, I wonder just to what sort of parties Will Rogers was referring?

~~~

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars.
Oscar Wilde

JE

IP: 68.94.153.151

Apr 3rd, 2007 - 8:16 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

Must be pretty easy to get money from the moore development board, I sure wish they would buy me some real estate.

The settles restoration will neither be economic, or development, seems that the moore board must have money burning a hole in their pocket.

How can we get rid of the moore board? Honestly.

*!*

IP: 70.255.97.29

Apr 4th, 2007 - 6:17 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

JE wrote: "The settles restoration will neither be economic, or development, seems that the moore board must have money burning a hole in their pocket.How can we get rid of the moore board? Honestly."

JE, You'd need to work up a petition. I'm sure it wouldn't be too difficult to come across a copy of the petition to abolish the Moore Board for Development, Inc. circulated a few years ago. You'd need to get the petition and the signatures of 5% of the registered Big Spring voters, probably 575 signatures. Good news is you'd have 180 days to collect the signatures before the first signatures you collected started to expire. It is my understanding that the petition itself would not expire, only the signatures on it would expire after 180 days. Even if you get the petition and the signatures, you'd still have to get the Big Spring voters to vote to abolish the Moore Board. I'm unsure if the voters would do this. Another petition, which I would likely sign and help circulate, with slightly different wording would lower the Moore Board sales tax from 1/2% to 1/4% while simultaneously creating a 1/4% street maintenance and repair sales tax. If the voters approved, the City of Big Spring would be obligated to spend the money from the 1/4% street maintenance and repair tax ONLY to maintain and repair our streets [approx. $500,000/ year as of now]. This would leave the Moore Board with 1/4%, or approximately $500,000 year for "economic development". I know this isn't a perfect solution for those that would like to see the Moore Board for Development, Inc. abolished, but the street maintenance and repair tax would be much less controversial and much more politically viable, in my opinion.

JE

IP: 68.94.153.151

Apr 5th, 2007 - 8:11 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

So if I understand correctly, aboloshing the moore board would result in a 1/2% sales tax reduction?
Seems like a fine rallying point.

*!*

IP: 65.70.97.134

Apr 5th, 2007 - 11:05 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

That's right, JE. If the Moore Board for Development, Inc. were "no more," the sales tax in Big Spring would be 7.75% instead of 8.25%. Please remember that the Moore Board for Development, Inc. is probably thought of as the goose that lays the golden eggs by some. Given the condition of our streets, a street maintenance and repair tax, I think, would have an excellent chance to be passed by the voters. It would not be controversial.

JE

IP: 68.94.153.151

Apr 6th, 2007 - 4:13 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

I agree, a petition to abolish the moore board and save the tax payers 1/4% while using the other 1/4% to sink into street repair would certainly turn some heads.

Who in the world considers the moore board a golden goose? They do nothing for economic development.

*!*

IP: 66.142.26.221

Apr 6th, 2007 - 5:56 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

JE wrote: "I agree, a petition to abolish the moore board and save the tax payers 1/4% while using the other 1/4% to sink into street repair would certainly turn some heads. Who in the world considers the moore board a golden goose? They do nothing for economic development."

I'll sign but most likely would not help circulate a petition forcing an election calling for the abolishment of the Moore Board and the simultaneous creation of a street maintenance and repair tax. I would sign and likely help circulate a petition to reduce the Moore Board tax by half while simultaneously creating a street maintenance and repair tax. I don't want to invest a lot of my time in anything but a surer winner. Who thinks of the Moore Board as the golden egg laying goose? Don't the politicians get power; the Directors, prestige; the favored business recipients, 'bird's nest on the ground' loans/grants; and the economic development corporation's employees, gainful employment, all with essentially no public concern/ scrutiny? If that's not the definition of a metaphorical golden egg laying goose, what is?

JE

IP: 68.94.153.151

Apr 6th, 2007 - 9:54 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

I believe the problem with the moore development is that not many citizens are concerned with them at all, they see nothing from them, and that being said, when you see nothing from it, why worry about it?

I believe bringing about a petition to completely abolish the moore board and lower sales tax by 1/2% as a result of such would certainly garner many signatures, the problem is how many would be signatures of registered voters?

Secondly, I have don't have time to go about doing it myself, I guess my partial tirades on this board are about it.

*!*

IP: 75.18.52.219

Apr 6th, 2007 - 11:47 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

JE wrote: "I believe bringing about a petition to completely abolish the moore board and lower sales tax by 1/2% as a result of such would certainly garner many signatures, the problem is how many would be signatures of registered voters?
Secondly, I have don't have time to go about doing it myself, I guess my partial tirades on this board are about it"

The problem regarding getting only registered voters has been largely solved: obtain a floppy disc of the registered voters in Big Spring, add the petition statement language at the top of the list, add two columns "signature" and "date signed" and print the large document and then let only those on the list sign the petition. One person getting 3-4 signatures a day can complete the process in 180 days. Get a few friends or your favorite club to help and the process can probably be whittled down to a month or two. That still leaves the problem of the golden eggs and mobilizing the pro-abolishment voters. I think 99% of the voters recognize that the streets in Big Spring are in bad shape: this is why the street maintenance and repair tax is politically viable, in my opinion.

*!*

IP: 75.18.52.219

Apr 7th, 2007 - 12:18 AM

Re: The Settles Hotel

Brint Ryan speaks eloquently about his plans for the Settles Hotel at the most recent Moore Board for Development, Inc. meeting.[Settles Hotel segment begins approx. 11:00 min into the video.]

http://66.76.137.50/ddigimation/Elements/Videos/Moore%20Board/moorebrd032607.wmv

JE

IP: 68.94.153.151

Apr 7th, 2007 - 8:17 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

I watched the video, I vote BS on this entire thing, he says he works for an investment firm, yet then says that it will never achieve a market rate of return. Investments usually snag a return, not a loss. I believe he is just in it to get the property and the money from the development board.

JE

IP: 68.94.153.151

Apr 8th, 2007 - 1:57 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

Also, why is he so concerned in restoring a building that he never saw functional in the first place?

*!*

IP: 70.255.97.159

Apr 8th, 2007 - 9:10 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

JE,

Ryan's company had >400 employees according to this link: http://www.ryanco.com/about-ryan/history_2005.aspx I'm guessing he does not need to set foot in Howard County to make money.

I do agree that the Moore Board for Development, Inc. directors and the City Council should further justify Moore Board, Inc.'s proposed participation in the Settles project. Why will a restored [or a partially restored] Settles Hotel building in private hands be worth a 3 million dollar "investment" by the Moore Board for Development,Inc.? How many new jobs at what wages will be guaranteed, etc.? Is it really legal for the Moore Board for Development, Inc. to give money for a project like this?

I do like the fact that Ryan is said to be bringing in expert advisors with preservation experience. Big Spring sorely can use a different perspective or two in this area don't you think?

white bunny

IP: 69.55.193.39

Apr 10th, 2007 - 11:43 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

This relates to the moore board, however this seems like the proper place to vent about it. Why are they hiring a consultant to tell them who to hire to run the moore board. Looks like alot of money spent about nothing. Kent resigned in Sept- nothings been done since that time, why do we need it, much less hire someone to tell us who to hire to run it. And I have heard that Mr. Settles has bought the Petroleum Buildingmmmmm me thinks it was owned by main street inc., what did he not pay for this time? Hasn't paid for the settles yet, and now is buying something else for nothing, probably another good tax escape for him once again.

*!*

IP: 69.154.41.32

Apr 11th, 2007 - 11:05 AM

Re: The Settles Hotel

I'd much rather own the Deco-appointed Petroleum Building than the Settles Hotel. Even though it's half the height of the Settles, it's 2x+ the building, in my opinion.

If Main Street sold the Petroleum Bldg to Ryan, it makes me wonder whether some gigantic hurdle/ flaw with the Settles building has been discovered? Or perhaps his expert restoration advisors pointed out what to me is OBVIOUS, that the Petroleum Building is the real gem here. Although the heart of the city park has suffered what I consider the typical (ritual?) Big Spring 'uglification' treatment, a savvy developer would likely see it as an opportunity to have one side free of less than kosher improvements [we have no local ordinances or codes which promote historic preservation of which I'm aware--why am I not surprised?]. For $150K and with the help of some sensitive, skilled designers/ planners, the Heart of the City Park might be finely reworked. This would likely be much less expensive than trying to buy up property around the Settles Hotel.

I imagine 3 million from the MBfD,Inc. would go a longer way on the rennovation of the smaller, asbestos free(?) Petroleum Building: of course, wouldn't that mean even more tax dollars/ square foot would be sunk into a private real estate development? What positive economic impact any of this might have to the public has still not been spelled out to my satisfaction.

Is there a Moore Board for Development, Inc. meeting this afternoon at 5:15 PM?

white bunny

IP: 69.55.193.39

Apr 11th, 2007 - 10:07 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

If we buy albertos, which is for sale by home realty, can we qualify for frrrreeeee moore board money? What's the difference within a block downtown? $3 million? I'll give $5 mill if we get free money.

JE

IP: 68.94.153.151

Apr 12th, 2007 - 1:50 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

"I'm guessing he does not need to set foot in Howard County to make money."

Sorry, I still don't buy it, funny thing about wealthy people, they didn't get to being wealthy by squandering money on bad investments.

*!*

IP: 70.251.9.181

Apr 15th, 2007 - 10:56 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

JE, Is it possible to make money on a losing Settles proposition--what I as a layperson might call a "tax write-off"?

Did you know that Brint Ryan recently gave a very generous donation to his alma mater?

http://www.coba.unt.edu/news/view.php?/2006/09/14/accounting-alumnus-g-brint-ryan-donates-1-million

Accounting Alumnus G. Brint Ryan donates $1 million

JE

IP: 68.94.153.151

Apr 16th, 2007 - 9:11 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

That I am not sure of, but what happens to the value of the settles if it gets restored with tax payer money and certified as a historic site? You think the value might rise above $75,000?

Oh yeah, donations are nice, but are also nice write off's when you have enough to donate past your standard deduction.

*!*

IP: 65.70.96.186

Apr 18th, 2007 - 1:39 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

As long as the city is participating in the project through the Moore Board for Development, Inc., why not go the extra mile with long term tax abatement of the property-- that way the tax assessor's office value will matter little, right?

If there isn't already talk of renting the Mayor and City Council members their own offices in the re-developed Settles, shouldn't there be?

There are ample opportunities to have the tax payers help with this project beyond the Moore Board for Development's initial $3,000,000. We only have to use our imanginations, be positive, and repeat over and over "Yes, we can. YES WE CAN!"

JE

IP: 75.36.99.138

Apr 23rd, 2007 - 8:33 PM

Re: The Settles Hotel

You been drinking the local water?

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