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Development
Although allegations have
been made labeling developers as greedy and unconcerned about the
quality of development, nothing could be further from the truth.
Developers make their reputations on the quality of their projects.
If one business’ request to have a chili pepper as part of their
signage qualifies as an attempt to create a “Las Vegas Strip” look,
one would have to make his or her own judgment.
As a citizen, you may not
care about how developers perceive the City, but here’s why you
should. A recent survey commissioned by the City revealed that Blue
Springs is rated by developers (both residential and commercial) as
one of the most difficult cities within which to conduct business.
One of the most frustrating issues is the inconsistent application
and enforcement of ordinances.
If developers look to Blue
Springs as a last resort, our ability to fund necessities and
amenities (including police protection and infrastructure such as
roads) declines accordingly.
Upon receipt of this
survey, a task force was commissioned to address the problems. Only
one of this committee’s members was actually a developer. Moreover,
has anyone heard what they’ve done to improve the situation? Or is
the committee just lip service to feign concern about what is
obviously a very real problem.
No community is without
red tape. It is the fact that comparatively speaking Blue
Springs rates as among the worst. What do these other communities
do to address the problems facing incoming developers?
Not only do we have
difficulty attracting new development, we have lost businesses to
our neighbors due to the bureaucratic problems conducting business.
Others have merely been subjected to political abuse to the point
that they may stay, but are unhappy with their treatment. They
often will not publicize their concerns for fear of continued
interference and retribution. The City’s image problems reach to
Washington DC. The continued road blocks to an Armed Forces
Recruiting and Training Center at the Mall at Fall Creek during a
time of war prompted intervention by US Representative Ike Skelton
before the Center was established.
The additional
costs these businesses incur are passed on to customers or result in
decreased expenditures in other ways, from aesthetic enhancements to
local charitable contributions. |
