You never know where you'll find a post for ALP, tonight I found one on the ANAHEIM Angels message board. This has to do with Mesa, Arizona and the $80 million in tax incentives for a development project which will likely include a Wal-Mart:
Sens. Marilyn Jarrett, R-Mesa; Karen Johnson, R-Mesa; Thayer Verschoor, R-Gilbert; and Reps. Andy Biggs and Eddie Farnsworth, both R-Gilbert, slammed the estimated $80 million incentive package the opposition group has deemed a "subsidy for the Wal-Martanchored freeway development."But Riverview developers Kimco Developers and De Rito Partners Development said there will be no taxpayer assistance for Wal-Mart. Also, their campaign spokesman Doug Cole said Harkins has benefited in the past from shopping center incentives and is trying to stop the Riverview project to keep the Cinemark chain out of the market and help his Tempe Marketplace theater two miles away.
On May 17, Mesa voters will cast their ballots on Propositions 300, 301 and 302. If approved, the Riverview at Dobson project at Loop 202 and Dobson Road is expected to include a Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, 16-screen Cinemark movie theater, "big-box" retailers with a probable Wal-Mart, auto dealerships and a business park.
Farnsworth and Biggs said they oppose the project because of the economic incentives. Jarrett, Johnson and Verschoor did not return phone calls.
"The problem (with incentives) is government is using its power to pick winners and losers," Farnsworth said.
Mesa Councilman Mike Whalen, a supporter of the Riverview project, called the legislators� announcement "disturbing."
"I�d respectfully ask them to work on their projects and stay out of Mesa projects," Whalen said. "This is a war, we have to understand it, but . . . we don�t need legislators jumping in and endorsing. That�s not their job."
Harkins declined to speak with the Tribune, but did issue a statement.
"I have invested millions in Mesa over the years and do not think it is fair to my business, Mr. Basha�s business or Fiesta Mall, among many other businesses, to give some of the wealthiest companies in the world such a huge taxpayer handout to hurt us, our employees and Mesa taxpayers," Harkins said.
Kevin Adds: Wal-Mart is going all out to deny these rumors:
In an answer to the "No on Riverview" campaign materials linking Wal-Mart to possible free rent or other perks, the retail giant on Friday started distributing a letter from its seven Mesa locations.Wal-Mart spokesman Pete Kanelos said the letter will be placed in shopping bags throughout the weekend at Mesa�s two supercenters, one regular store and four neighborhood markets.
"We don�t have a position (in the May 17 election), but we felt it was important enough to state the facts to make sure our customers know the facts," Kanelos said....
Also on Friday, Kimco Developers president Jerry Friedman sent a letter to City Manager Mike Hutchinson claiming Wal-Mart will be paying a "commercially reasonable and fair market rent for its land if a lease is entered into." He offered the city the future chance to review the lease agreement, which has not yet been signed.
Earlier this week, the city posted a letter on its Web site from Ernst and Young�s Steve Klett, whose Riverview market analysis became the basis for a Tribune article and subsequently the "No on Riverview" campaign materials because it stated that Wal-Mart�s Riverview rent would be $0.00. Klett said the $0.00 figure was not meant to imply the company would not pay rent, but was used to calculate revenue projections from Mesa�s rental tax, which he believed Wal-Mart would not need to pay.
Posted by Bob on April, 9 2005 at 01:34 PM
