Greed is good?

I just finished watching the November 15, 2006 Planning, Zoning & Economic Development Committee meeting on Channel 2. I wanted to see how the East Village deal with JE Dunn was shaping up. As Bob Langenkamp from City Planning explained the details, I was reminded of the City's negotiating technique of starting with absolutely everything we have to offer, and then offering even more. I would love to play Texas Hold'em with the City. They never bluff and they go "all in" every hand! Mr. Langenkamp gave us a glimpse of how the City has been looking out for the public interest in negotiating with JE Dunn. "Over the past few months, we've opened our books. We've shown them (JE Dunn) every penny that we have to spend." The City (that's all of us) wants JE Dunn to make employment number guarantees in order to secure our State TIF financing. We also want JE Dunn to pay for any environmental remediation. Dave Fenley of Blackwell-Sanders represented JE Dunn at the meeting. I think the following quotes from him sum things up nicely. I only wish the Planning Committee would have responded like I have. "(We) do not want to be in the business of guaranteeing (our) hiring." You are in the business of guaranteeing employment when you're asking for a handout from the taxpayers. If you don't want to be in that business, pay your own way. "We were told yesterday that we were greedy" The past is the past. That was yesterday. Let's talk about today. You're greedy. "We're taking a huge risk and we've taken a huge risk on the east side of downtown for over 50 years" It's laughable saying a construction company is taking a "risk" by having its headquarters a stone's throw from City Hall. Where's your risk? Location? Not enough foot traffic? I didn't realize construction companies were so dependent on people walking by and saying "Hey I saw your window display and got to thinking I could really use a new building." "Your negotiators went over the edge yesterday when your negotiators said we were greedy." I wouldn't exactly call them "negotiators". You're too kind. "Our position on these two issues is not subject to any movement whatsoever." Sure it is! You can "move" on out of town. Don't let the door hit you on the way out. I think the City should spend $75 on a newspaper ad. Wanted. Progressive company that would like to anchor downtown urban village. Views of City Hall and Jackson County Courthouse included. Free 600 space covered parking garage. Access to state of the art arena and entertainment district. Seconds away from major highways. Tons of good will from the public. Greedy applicants need not apply.