Editorial

By Jon A. Brake

Lord help us, the City of Manhattan wants another Industrial Park.

But, maybe our prayers have already been answered. It could be that this park will be developed correctly. Let us hope and pray.

The answer to our prayers could be a more conservative City Commission, new management in City Hall and new management at the Manhattan Area Chamber.

Last week the Chamber told the City Commission that the City needed a new 1,000 acre Industrial Park. The site has been picked South and West of the Manhattan Airport. Which 1,000 acres has not been determined.

What is wrong with the new Industrial Park to the North and West of the Airport? A lot. In fact twenty-six lots, all owned by the City of Manhattan and waiting for development. Then why do we need a new Industrial Park? It is all in the name. When the new Park was being developed the City only told citizens that they were developing a new park they did not tell the citizens that the new park would be restricted.

It is all in the name. This is the Manhattan Technology Park and the City put restrictions on the type of business that could build. So, apparently the Chamber is working with a company or companies that do not fit the term "Technology" business.

But, the restrictions were not the only error make by the City in developing the new Technology Park. The City purchased 80 acres for $1 million and then proceeded to subdivide the Park and put in streets, sewer and water. What is wrong with that? Who knows what size lot or acres a new business will need? And why put in streets, sewer and water and have the taxpayers of Manhattan footing the bill for twenty years? That is what happened. The City has sold three of the twenty-nine lots and are left with taxes totaling $257,598.87 a year. Many of the lots will not be sold for fifteen to twenty years and the City will be paying taxes on the property all of that time.

At the Chamber retreat last spring the members and City fathers were told by a development expert that everything they did was wrong. They should not have purchased the land, they should not have subdivided the park and they should not have put in streets, sewer and water.

In talking with the new management at the Chamber it sounds as if any new Industrial Park will we done correctly. Options will be taken on the land and it will not be purchased outright. Streets, sewer and water will not be put in until they are needed by a new company.

The Free Press contacted Steel and Pipe of Manhattan and were told that Steel and Pipe will not be moving to the location. Before Steel and Pipe can make such a move their location on Third Street must be sold.

Here are the taxes being paid by the City of Manhattan and the three companies in the park:

5900 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $582.78

Specials $5,547;70

Total $6,130.48

5901 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $537.32

Specials $5,108.04

Total $5,645.36

5910 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $598.60

Specials $5,683.44

Total $6,282.04

5911 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $539.34

Specials $5,130.05

Total $5,669.39

5919 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $606.46

Specials $5,758.40

Total $6,364.86

5920 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $691.44

Specials $6,565.88

Total $7,257.32

5925 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $1,691.08

Specials $16,054.70

Total $17,745.78

5930 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $764.50

Specials $7,268.18

Total $8,032.68

5931 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $1,297.88

Specials $12,332.30

Total $13,630.18

5940 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $543.26

Specials $5,166.77

Total $5,710.03

5941 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $2,611.60

Specials $24,809.03

Total $27,420.63

5950 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $543.26

Specials $5,166.77

Total $5,710.03

5951 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $3,172.72

Specials $30,120.38

Total $33,293.10

5960 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $867.20

Specials $8,235.74

Total $9,235.74

5961 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $2,939.58

Specials $27,916.75

Total $30,856.33

5970 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $888.98

Specials $8,440.05

Total $9,329.03

5971 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $1,129.96

Specials $10,743.36

Total $11,873.32

5975 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $568.98

Specials $5,404.27

Total $5,973.25

5979 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $555.18

Specials $5,279.54

Total $5,834.72

5980 Corporate Dr.

SSF Development

General Tax $26,280.06

Specials $8,470.97

Total $34,751.03

5983 Corporate Dr.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $557;08

Specials $5,299.55

Total $5,856.63

0 Sykes Blvd

City of Manhattan

General Tax $3,002.78

Specials $6,308.13

Total $9,310.91

5960 Sykes Blvd

City of Manhattan

General Tax $1,864.84

Specials $1,138.71

Total $3,003.55

5970 Sykes Blvd

Sykes Realty Inc

General Tax $85,051.36

Specials $.00

Total $85,051.36

5971 Sykes Blvd

Sykes Realty Inc

General Tax $1,728.58

Specials $.00

Total $1,728.58

5975 Sykes Blvd

Sykes Realty Inc

General Tax $653.94

Specials $.00

Total $653.94

5960 Technology Cir.

Western Wireless Corp.

General Tax $164,467.34

Specials $17,136.89

Total $181,603.23

5970 Technology Cir.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $547.20

Specials $5,200.14

Total $5,747.34

5971 Technology Cir.

City of Manhattan

General Tax $1,126.04

Specials $10,692.93

Total $11,818.97