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View Full Version : The Winds of Change on Development Deals?


tefen
12-20-2007, 10:13 AM
Jeanne Stewart has been critical for some time of the development deals struck by the City of Vancouver with private developers. It seems that the editorial staff at the Columbian is finally ready to see her side. Could this mark a change in the public perception of these deals and the business climate under which they're forged?

Jeanne Stewart, the lone council member to oppose the sale, is troubled about the negotiated deal.

"I think more effective sales are done on the open market through the bid process, rather than a negotiated sale," she said.

Her concern is understandable and ought to give pause to the council as it presses ahead seeking more downtown development. There's nothing to suggest any wrongdoing in this deal or that Killian Pacific, given its track record, wasn't the best choice. But the city's close relationship with a select two or three developers has a potential downside.

http://columbian.com/opinion/news/2007/12/12202007_In-Our-View-A-boost-for-Main-St.cfm


A very interesting little article when considering the developments of the past few years, the perception of those deals, and the opinions expressed by the Columbian.

Chief
12-20-2007, 01:43 PM
I agree tefen, but in the absense of anything that is patently illegal, what else should the City have done? How long should they have delayed doing something with that vacant lot? It seems to me that the land was doing nothing since the old hotel was torn down, and at least now it could eventually be productive.

That said, these kinds of deals always ignite the flames of the<a href="http://www.westerndredging.org/cgi-bin/mail.cgi/archive/Local/20071220095751/"> local Chapter of C.A.V.E. </a> from nothing more than at least the appearance of impropriety.

If there was anyone else who was interested in that piece of land besides Killian, then I haven't heard of it. And since City Council is specifically, legally entitled to discuss real estate transactions in Executive Session, I'm not likely to find anything new out any time soon...

Interesting editorial perhaps, but what does it mean exactly??

Who do you suppose wrote that missive??