Tt post jul 6 2016 - b

"... the news about it being a mixed use development."

But is "mixed use" official if we don't know who is buying the land?

From the July 6, 2016 Blade story:

In September, 2015, Mr. Harmon said his company wanted to turn the 58.5 acres into a mix of office space, retail, buildings for high tech or distribution uses, and possibly apartments.

But Harmon did not buy the land.

The city in May renewed an agreement with NAI Harmon Group to continue marketing the property. The firm will get a 10 percent commission from the deal.

Ed Harmon, managing member of NAI Harmon, previously declined to reveal the buyer or to comment, stating he was under “strict confidentiality” requirements.

Is the NSA building a bunker on that land? If so, then okay, I understand the legal bullshit.

It's stunning that not one member on Toledo city clowncil said, "Screw this noise" and voted NO.

Toledo City Council voted 12-0 to sell the site of the former Southwyck Shopping Center to an unknown buyer for $2.8 million.

This makes no sense. What if clowncil or the local residents dislike the plan for that property? Will clowncil have the power to defeat a disapproving plan for Southwyck?

Back in the summer of 2005, Liz Holland stood on her property at Westgate and announced that she was rebuilding it. She had a plan, including a drawing.

Everything was known, but a bunch of asshats in city and county government nearly fucked over that project that I'm guessing now brings in more annual tax revenue for the city than the old Westgate.

What about the 20/20 plan or something similar? Will that apply to Southwyck's new owner? The city threw that at Holland back in 2005/2006, and maybe she changed things to satisfy the activists.

February 2006 State of the City speech by newly-elected mayor Carty:

The urban neighborhoods that have increased in value in this country have done so because their planning and elected officials set high standards. Quality development is characterized by high design standards. Today such standards mean pedestrian-friendly environments; places where people enjoy getting out of their cars and spending time moving from shop to shop. I point to Levis Commons as a prime example.

Toledo recognized this truth about high quality development when our 20/20 Master Plan formally designated the Westgate area to be developed as an urban village with walkable streets and a proper balance between the automobile and the pedestrian. Liz Holland, the owner of Westgate property, lives in Chicago where high design standards have been very successful. She needs to work with the City to support the neighborhood principles at Westgate that have so enhanced property values in her hometown.

Today, at Westgate, Southwyck, and Birmingham we can and must implement our City’s 20/20 Master Plan principles that set quality standards, and create a Toledo that generations to come will be proud of.

10-plus years ago, local officials meddled to the extreme with a private owner's plan.

Today, an unknown buyer with an unknown plan buys a large chunk of Toledo real estate, and council approves the sale 12-0. I guess local government is more desperate today.

I'm all for government not interfering, but so far, this Southwyck sale is bizarre.