The Downtown spending scheme is moving full speed ahead, on time and over budget. . .

With the failure of Amendments 60, 61 and Proposition 101 on November 2nd, the contract with Artspace can move forward.  The $550,000 contract with the private company out of Minnesota to investigate and plan for a low-income housing project for artists can now move forward.  Also, with the failure of the three citizen initiatives will be the ‘revitalization’ of the LAEDC – a new, full-time position charged with bringing ‘creative sector’ business to town with the use of incentives and other propoganda.

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All are probably aware of the controversy at the Loveland Museum.  The finger is apparently  being pointed to the Cultural Services Board.  From the City’s website:

“The Cultural Services Board meets the fourth Tuesday of each month at 4:30 p.m. at the Loveland Museum/Gallery, 503 North Lincoln Avenue.”

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Pop Quiz:  Where can you find unfair government subsidies to a private company until it is profitable enough to pay the same as its competitors, overinflated revenue projections to make a pet project look more appealing, public money used to maintain an apparent private building all wrapped into one?  Answer:  Rialto Bridge. 

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On September 21st, Loveland City Council will be deciding on a budget appropriation for the Artspace project.  Artspace is an out of state private developer who is hoping to partner with the City of Loveland on a low-income housing project directed towards artists.  At an initial presentation given to City Council, it was projected that the City’s portion of upfront costs would be $550,000.  The City’s portion of the actual construction costs is yet to be determined.

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As foretold here, Loveland’s City Council, last night, started to really gear up in opposition of three state initiatives on this year’s ballot: Amendment 60, Amendment 61 and Proposition 101. 

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Outsiders not in the loop of the Downtown Revitalization dream are easily confused with what appears to be many different schemes of pumping money into Downtown to bring it back to life.    

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In a current RFP (request for proposal), the City of Loveland is seeking proposals from qualified providers to open an on-site medical clinic.  The services from the medical clinic will be available to City employees and their families (spouses and children over two) that are enrolled in the City of Loveland health insurance plan.

The City of Loveland has a very interesting economic incentive program and some of it may come as a surprise for uninformed individuals.  Where many would expect tax rebates, permit fee waivers and CEF (capital expansion fee) reductions; Loveland’s incentives go way beyond these typical incentives.  In the written program, one can learn how they can receive “Cash incentives for new primary jobs”, “Job training dollars” and “Facade improvement grants”.  Even though there is special mention to Article XI Section 2 of the State Constitution in the City Charter Prefatory Synopsis, which one would think prohibits the City from giving money to private entities, legal precedent loopholes have given the City a way around the original intent.

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