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January 06, 2007
Give me a break
Before I get into the main focus of this post I have been trying to figure out just how much Land Partners II actually want for the land. If the county is limited to $90 million, and the infrastructure costs $72 million, that leaves $18 million for all the land that must be purchased. Pogin has already said that $4 million goes to Burlington Northern, and $500,000 to the city. Plus, there are a bunch of other smaller parcels that must be purchased. However, according to the Strib story we've all already read, the County has budgeted a maximum of of $13.5 million for the land and Land Partners II are saying that is way too low. How much do they want? My guess is at least $20 million (give or take $3 million). This is just a hunch, but I think that is the difference we are talking about.
But ... the more I thought about this the more I got ticked off. And I'm still ticked off. I don't want to have to think about this anymore. I can't believe with all the money already being collected by Hennepin County this is all being screwed up at such an embarrassing level. Negotiations in the paper? Rich people complaining about not getting enough money? A major league baseball team that is being given millions in public money calling other people "greedy?" Give me a fricken' break. This is sad, comical, and sickening all at the same time.
I got so ticked off that I wrote my good buddy Freealonzo and voiced my frustrations. Freealonzo gave me a pretty good reply that I think warrants reprinting:
The stakes are way too high for a deal not to happen. To quote an overused cliche: "failure is not an option." No way the Twins let this deal crumble -- they aren't getting another chance for a new ballpark. No way the County lets this deal fall apart, they are already collecting sales tax pennies. No way Lambrecht let's this deal fall apart, there's too much money on the table, he has investors to make happy, and the condo market is overbuilt so it will be years until he could fully develop his parcels without a project. Finally, no way the legislature and the Governor let this deal fall apart. They took a lot of flack for passing this bill, they don't want to look like fools and they aren't going to revisit the deal.
Amen brother. I guess I've got something more blunt and direct to follow up Freealonzo's statement: everyone involved with this deal needs to pull their heads out of their asses and figure this out. You've all had your fun pouting to the local newspaper, now figure something out.
To the County: start negotiating! If reports are accurate, you haven't even tried to talk with Pogin and Lambrecht yet to try to figure out a deal. You are already collecting the pennies that will account for approx. $28 million a year in taxpayer money and you let things get this out of control? Get your head out of the sand and figure something out!
To Land Partners II: if you aren't reasonable with your demands, if you ask for too much, if this deal falls through, you will be blamed. You will be a pariah in this community and from what I understand people are already snubbing you. If this deal falls apart, you will be the reason people come up with first for why there isn't a new Twins stadium. You may not think it is fair, but that is the way it will be.
And to the Twins: The people of Hennepin County are taking on debt of $392 million for your new stadium. If you can't find $10 million extra in your budget to make sure this deal happens you don't deserve a new stadium. If you squander almost $400 million in "free money" just because you don't think you should have to pay any more ... well, you're a bunch of idiots. I won't have a drop of sympathy for you.
And with that I will leave you. Shut up and figure something out. I don't want to hear about the stadium again until the first shovel full of dirt is dug.
Posted by snackeru at January 6, 2007 03:40 PM
Comments
I never knew the mild-mannered norwegian had it in him....You go Shane!!! It's fun to see you all fired up. Go walk outside and find a alleycat to kick or something. Like I said long ago, I won't rest about the ballpark until they're acutally shoveling the dirt. There are so many morons up there in power to screw things up, I'm really not at all surprised by this. I'm sure this will not be the last snag.
Posted by: kevin in az at January 6, 2007 05:01 PM
I can't blame you for being upset. I'm really trying not to think about this either. Afterall, there's really nothing any of us can do about it now.
I suppose if you're a Hennipen County resident you can write Opat and the other Board members and rip them for not getting this done. But outside of that there's nothing to do but sit and watch it play out.
I think it is inevitable for this to hit snags big and small along with the way. I know Seattle and San Diego both had problems, not to mention Milwaukee. I won't feel completely comfortable until I'm sitting in my seat Opening Day.
Although it is frustrating, I do appreciate you sharing with us what you know, Shane. You clearly have more insight on this then most people, including Star Tribune reporters appearantly.
Posted by: David Howe at January 6, 2007 06:27 PM
What Shane didn't mention is that I also said that I think this is typical for large complicated deals like this. There's a lot of grandstanding and fingerpointing but at the end, it all gets done. What's different is that Shane has a front row seat.
Posted by: freealonzo at January 7, 2007 08:07 PM
