Florissant Residents Oppose Walmart CID Proposal
Several residents spoke out at Monday night's meeting against the possibility of a new tax incentive district.
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The Florissant City Council saw its first glimpse of the Walmart development and Sunswept Community Improvement District (CID), but residents gave strong opposition to the laid out plans.
After listening to the presentation made by Alan Bornstein of THF Realty for the CID and new development plans for Walmart, about 10 residents stood up to speak out on the proposal.
Residents Michael and Elizabeth O’Fallon both said they support the development of a Walmart in town, but not through tax increment financing (TIF) or a CID.
“I hope we can reap the rewards of Walmart being here,” Michael O’Fallon said. “I encourage the council to think long and hard about this.”
Other residents said that they’re not looking forward to seeing a Walmart in Florissant period and want the council to consider rejecting the CID request.
Bornstein of THF Realty informed the council on a CID's benefits and changes to the Walmart plans, including the elimination of the outlot building, expanding the store site and increasing green space.
Portions of the building have been altered to satisfy the city’s masonry ordinance.
Bornstein said the CID would add a 1 percent sales overlay tax to the store’s products. In turn, the CID would generate revenue for the city’s parks and recreation budget, capital improvement fund and business licenses as well as school district property taxes.
The CID would help pay project development costs.
Bornstein emphasized that this would not be a TIF for the city, and the overlay tax would be similar to the one imposed at Shoppes at Cross Keys.
City Council members seemed on the fence about whether they would approve the measure in bill form.
“I’m still not clear if I would support this kind of incentive,” Ward 7 Councilwoman Karen McKay said. “The climate has changed in the last 10 years.”
This is Walmart's third attempt with the Florissant City Council. The original proposal included a TIF, which the council denied. Ward 4 Councilman Keith English said a bill would be brought for first reading at the Feb. 27 meeting regarding Walmart and its CID.
Matt Sanders
5:35 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012
I say reach a compromise so that the CID will not be involved and let them build. I really want to see a Walmart supercenter in town. the CID Needs to be defeated and a first reading for walmart needs to be added in the March City council Meeting. There needs to be give between THF and Florissant. dont use the CID to fund the develop the project. I think either way they go in regardless. So they need to be some compromise for THF and the city of florissant. some people may not want a walmart. With or without a CID They will go in regardless. Earth to city of Florissant and THF, It is time to Let Walmart in, but with No CID!!!!!
Elizabeth O'Fallon
4:27 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Matt, I suspect the CID will be denied, as there seems to be a lot of opposition to it. I don't blame Walmart for trying though as I can see it from a business standpoint. I have a feeling Walmart will go in, we just want to make sure they don't get public funds to build here. I think the 1st reading for the Walmart bill will be at the next City Council meeting on the 27th. I encourage people to come to the meeting to voice their opposition to the CID.
Matt Sanders
6:47 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
I agree with you on that Elizabeth. I feel that they do not need the CID. There need to be a compromise to go in without the CID. We do not need another district at this time.I want to see walmart to come to this town without this incentive. I get riding to st peters to buy stuff from st peters and pay st peters tax. Come on walmart, drop the public funding act and start Building a super-center. I want to see this CID defeated and a first reading of the walmart development without the CID in the March Council Meeting. that would make people happy. we do not need to pay an additional sales tax on this development.
Susan Geerling
10:40 am on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
If Walmart complies with all the zoning regulations Florissant code requires of them, there isn't a legal reason to say no to THF. However, Florissant does not have to allow a CID. Residents would have to pay one cent more per dollar to shop there, for who knows how many years (with TIF it's 23 years). I'm not in favor of giving THF a CID (or a TIF). In the above article, Mr. Bornstein is cited as saying,
"... the CID would add a 1 percent sales overlay tax to the store’s products. In turn, the CID would generate revenue for the city’s parks and recreation budget, capital improvement fund and business licenses as well as school district property taxes."
The truth is that the store's profits would generate these types of revenues with or without a CID, thus, the city gaining revenues from the store's profits has nothing to do with Florissant agreeing to a CID. The Walmart company is wealthy enough to build this project without the extra financial incentives that a CID would give them, and without the CID, residents wouldn't be penalized for shopping there.
Michael O'Fallon
3:28 pm on Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Love or hate Wal-mart, the CID is not a good idea in my opinion. There is no benefit to Florissant to create a CID.
If THF will stop seeking this "bonus" for its development, it should have no problem securing the proper permits to build. Then the residents of Florissant can show how much they like or dislike Wal-mart by how much business we give them. If you hate Wal-mart, don't shop there. If you love it, then shop there. If you are indifferent, then shop there if you want... don't if you don't want. It doesn't make much sense to me for people to get up in front of the Council just to say "I don't like Wal-mart." I just don't get it. How about making an argument & justifying your concerns? Don't just be a parrot... make a point.
Back to the CID, I have yet to hear from ANYONE (besides THF) as to why they think the CID would be good for Florissant. The argument for additional tax revenues into the city's coffers doesn't hold water in my opinion. There will be some additional revenue for sure, but not millions of dollars per year, and the City will see that revenue no matter how Wal-mart builds its store... with or without a CID. The only things that could make me think a CID is a good idea is if (1) the area was an high-traffic eyesore or (2) we had a lot of people standing up clammoring for a Walmart. Since neither is the case, the Council should reject the proposal for a CID.
Matt Sanders
12:10 pm on Tuesday, February 21, 2012
it seems like with the masonry ordinance they have revised it to meet code. this needs to be done with their own money come on florissant say no to the CID. i have a feeling that they will build without the CID. Florissant and THF it is time to compromise not to use a cid.
Matt Sanders
5:24 pm on Friday, March 9, 2012
as per the city council meeting this monday, the CID has been pulled from the proposal for walmart. Now it seems like Walmart wants to play by the rules like everyone else
http://www.florissantmo.com/Govt/meetingsAgendas/3-12-12%20Agenda/Agenda%20Packet%203-12-12.pdf
I hope this finally happens.
Fred Simshauser
2:03 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Why not put in in the Jamestown area they need it we in Florissant don't.
Matt Sanders
2:57 pm on Wednesday, February 22, 2012
i say let them in without a CID even without a CID it will generate enough revenue that the florissant parks and rec will have a bigger budget with them going in. say yes to walmart, but say no to the Cid
tricia
8:12 pm on Monday, February 27, 2012
I say no to the CID. I think that is not a bad idea about Walmart going in the Jamestown area. There is certainly enough land available there.
Gary
7:36 am on Monday, March 5, 2012
Jamestown Mall has enough space and the exsisting infastructure to handle Wal-Mart there. It would create a traffic nightmare where they plan to build near Coldwater Creek.
Gary
7:37 am on Monday, March 5, 2012
Interested resisdents of the area need to attend the rezoning meeting on March 12th at 7pm at Florissant City Hall.
Matt Sanders
3:54 pm on Monday, March 5, 2012
PER THE PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISION THEY WILL MEET THE CODE FOR THE 100% MASONRY RULE. EVEN IF THEY DONT GET THE CID, I HAVE A FEELING THEY GO IN ANYWAY FOR MEETING THE MASONRY REQURIMENT. LOVE OR HATE WALMART IT SEEMS LIKE THEY MAY GET AROUND WITHOUT THE CID. OK FLORISSANT AND THF, IT IS TIME TO THROW THE CID OUT OF PLAY AND START MAKING A DEAL TO FINALLY GO IN!!!!