State of the Union

Hello All,

Here is an update on the Main and Clinton situation. We have not heard from MCC President Anne Kress. She has simply not replied to our previous correspondence. I have had my attorney send her another request for a meeting to give her the latest proposal. I am quite surprised that there was no reply. I expected a little more professionalism. Be that as it is, we will expand our efforts to find another college that may be interested in a downtown location. That was one of the more interesting ideas that came out of that City sponsored closed door meeting by invite only.

We are continuing our effort to acquire the necessary property to make my vision a reality. I think that this is one of the biggest opportunities in commercial real estate history. To think that over half of this block, from Gateway to Clinton, and from Main Street to Division Street, could be purchased for three million dollars is nothing short of amazing. I am hoping that some other people who share my vision, will join me in my endeavor to jump start the Main and Clinton development.

I have a fantastic offer to MCC. I would be willing to donate the building currently owned by Phyllis Cohen, that shares a common wall with Gateway Ctr, as well as give them my corner for a staging area, if they came "back" to their original location. Soon, I will control all the properties that would be required to make this happen. Unfortunately, I cannot get the new president of MCC to even acknowledge our proposal. It seems once again that there is some other reason or agenda that prevents common sense and normal business procedures from taking place.

I have a feeling that it may be a personal thing here. I know that the County Executive has a great deal of influence over MCC. I hope she isn't making the whole city suffer for her sour grapes over the demise of RenSquare. I certainly can't think of any other plausible reason that MCC would suddenly have no interest in hearing a proposal that fixed all of their concerns in the best possible location. Nor should we forget that going to their original location, would be the ONLY way to salvage something from the squandered 24 million dollars of OUR money already spent on that location.

Here it is in a nutshell. MCC said it needed my corner for a staging area. I can give them that corner. They also said, albeit very late in the game, that they wanted room for expansion that the "old" plan did not give them. I can give them as much or as little room as they need. Lastly, they said they wanted something that would compliment, and improve their student, faculty, and administrators needs. Amazingly, this is exactly what I have been screaming for over a year!! My plan is exactly what they want. Bookstores, student housing, restaurants, daycare, drugstores, groceries, etc. All privately funded. What is wrong with this picture?

Where is the City in this? Why isn't the City putting some pressure on MCC to come back to the original plan? Better yet. why isn't the public asking the same questions? MCC is the only thing needed to get Main and Clinton changed from what it is to something we can all be proud of!

I was so disappointed in the lack of turnout for the Primaries last week. 6.8% Countywide turnout? 8% for the City??? Are you serious? Obviously, nobody gives a rat's ass about what happens there. That makes me sad. I am very close to terms with all the property owners with the exception of Robert Bauman. My cousin is still trying make amends for some bad financial decisions by trying take advantage of me and holding out for a price that is three times as much as his property is worth. I am hopeful that he will eventually get the price he so richly deserves.

We continue to try and get an audience with MCC. We continue our acquisition efforts, and I hope to have some good news to share in the future. MCC...if you are listening, I have an amazing plan to offer you. Please allow me to show it to you.

Talk Soon
Neil