CINDY HARRIS
During my campaign I promised you that I would guard your tax dollars.
I voted “NO” at the City Council meeting when asked to approve the addition of $80,000 of YOUR city tax dollars to $1,375,000 of YOUR state tax dollars for the construction of 11 efficiency units on Broad St.–another NO-BID Domus project.
A replication of Domus’ Hotel Westfield Meadow St. project was not possible because residential units are zoned out of first floors on Broad St. – unless there is an “educational” component. News articles indicate that the project will house young people between 17 and 25.
We’ll never know if another contractor and “Soft Cost” specialists could have done the work for less because this project, unlike so many other construction projects, is a NO-BID, no request for proposals contract-similar to the $339,000 per apartment Prospect Hill project for low income families. [A 5.7 Million Dollar project].
Domus has been involved in over 20 million dollars of NO-BID contracts in our city. An $8.3 million dollar NO BID low income family project (28 units) has been sitting in a drawer in City Hall since July 6, 2010. Hopefully it stays there.
My focus is not on having my picture taken, nor on writing items just to be in the newspaper. I promised the thousands of people who voted for me that I will not vote for any unnecessary items. I truly am trying to guard your tax dollars–no unnecessary jobs–no unnecessary expenditures–and no fluff.
I believe that the Domus Broad Street project could be completed without the additional $80,000 of your tax money by cutting from such items as:
Architectural & Engineering $92,441
Closing Costs/legal $33,800
Construction Contingency $81,096
Development Consultant $39,450
Capitalized Reserves $50,000
Developer Overhead $80,000
Developer Fee $40,000
The purchase price was $165,000. (All the figures are on file at the Community Development).
I was a partner in converting 33 Broad Street from a church into 11 one bedroom apartments, including the addition of a third floor. I am familiar with construction, and construction costs.
Regarding some other important matters—
The non-functioning elevator at City Hall has denied our citizens with disabilities their right to do business and to participate in meetings at our newly renovated seat of government. This situation is inexcusable, arrogant and in need of immediate remedial action.
While the area between Elm Street and Franklin Street – like so many other downtowns – continues to struggle, our East Main St. /Springfield Road corridor continues to be extremely successful. There is too little publicity of this fact. Our citizens love to do business in this section of the city.
We’re approaching Patriots Day and Memorial Day. As the daughter of a Korean War casualty, I’ll simply say THANK YOU to all who serve or have served and their families–you are heroes.
To those who have lost family members,-”Our Fallen Heroes”, I simply say that I understand your loss, yet I smile and say “I am proud to be an American.”
Cindy Harris
City Councilor At Large
413-562-9197
[email protected]
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this column are those of the author and not the staff, editor, or publisher of this publication.
