PATA History Pages

"Mystery Community"

See the Sept. 2001 issue of Columbus CEO Magazine - a must read!

“Mystery Community”
The following is a “theoretical” adaptation of the September 2001 issue of the area magazine Columbus C.E.O. This magazine contains a very interesting article written by Tony Goins on a “suburb” (We will call the community XXX) that has made strides at Commercial Development……

Below are a few excerpts for this ….. for the full message it is recommended to view the magazine. Unfortunately we would have provided a link to this issue – or the magazines web pages; however CM Media does not have this capability.

Does this sound like Pickerington?

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Careful planning, business friendly attitude making XXX a hot commercial development community. The massive ------ center of business is on its way to becoming a signature project among the growing commercial developments…. ------ will assure XXX’s economic vitality for decades to come.

The vision that became -------- business center began with roads …… weaving then into a grid and linking them …..

WORKING TOGETHER - XXX’s plan is to make businesses feel welcome, make them feel like part of the community. Businesses are encouraged to take an active role in civic and school affairs.

The city offers real estate tax breaks on new structures in the area of up to 65 percent for 15 years. Schools get the other 35 percent, as well as taxes on equipment and land. Unlike many communities XXX’s Board of Education member says – the city involved the school district from the beginning, you don’t always see it that way. We have a pre-arranged formula or all of the developments in -------- business center….. that keeps the city and schools from having to negotiate on each and every business development within the business center.

What you won’t see on -------- development are sprawling subdivisions packed with new homes. Residential development is discouraged. This is XXX’s last real opportunity to make employment happen in our city.

XXX made major financial commitments to this business center…… including utilities – water, sewer, widening roads, new bridges, and special conduits for fiber optic communications.

XXX has chosen a unique way to finance municipal infrastructure. Rather than applying for grants or issuing bonds --- the city paid cash. To do this the city saved money to improve the business center’s geography out of its yearly budget.

The article continues with the “hurdles required” to get to this point of a promising commercial development…………..

IT IS VERY WORTHWHILE READING.

Now ask yourself is this mysterious City Pickerington?

Look below for more information----


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Of the 3 major points in what PATA feels are vital to our community - this article hits heavily on 2 of them….

We view that:

1. As a community we need to “curb” the rate of residential construction.

2. We must encourage and promote increased Commercial / Industrial business opportunities to broaden our tax base.

For those of you that want to post some constructive issues on this topic – I will begin a discussion page item under “Mystery Community” for your comments.

- Bob Harding