Don’t let delay be death of land deal

The Sedgwick County commissioners still had too many questions Wednesday to feel comfortable going forward with a proposal to buy 808 acres in Bel Aire for an industrial park. There is a lot to consider, especially with the county budget so tight and other priorities so pressing. But the delay should not be the death of the plan, which was harshly criticized by several local developers and anti-tax activists at the meeting. If the commission does what the critics want, which is nothing, the county will remain uncompetitive in the high-stakes contest to land large businesses with large numbers of jobs. It was good to hear Commission Chairman Kelly Parks indicate that he sees the urgent need for such a shovel-ready industrial park.

9 Comments

  1. JWink
    Posted May 21, 2009 at 6:06 am | Permalink

    That particular site is better suited for residential development than for industrial development. For one thing, it lacks railroad access and minimal highway access.

    Better to let the City of Bel Aire to hold onto it until some valid use comes along for it. Then ask the County for help in developing it.

    More likely locations for large industrial development would be in Haysville near the Turnpike or Goddard near highway 54 … or the southeast quadrant of Hutchinson.

  2. frankiefurter
    Posted May 21, 2009 at 7:25 am | Permalink

    Why do we think govt can be an effective real estate developer?

  3. Regular
    Posted May 21, 2009 at 8:26 am | Permalink

    Bad idea to purchase land for 14 million dollars and not have a plan to populate it with industry. Shelve it.

  4. BlueJay
    Posted May 21, 2009 at 8:30 am | Permalink

    WHY does every square inch of land have to have a frigging house, factory, or store on it? Use some of the empty houses, factories, and stores and leave the land alone. Stop urban sprawl!

  5. BlueJay
    Posted May 21, 2009 at 8:37 am | Permalink

    “…the county will remain uncompetitive in the high-stakes contest to land large businesses with large numbers of jobs”

    We’ve had enough of THAT as well. The large businesses I mean.

    They get their foot in the door and then they are forever demanding more gifts or “We can move.” Who needs ‘em?

  6. DavosRancheros
    Posted May 21, 2009 at 1:04 pm | Permalink

    If the land is and has been ready for development…why has industry/ies not approached Bel Aire already.

  7. donndublin
    Posted May 21, 2009 at 6:13 pm | Permalink

    Rhonda puts up another skoll-over thread.

    I wonder why she still has her job. Must be doing her boss.

  8. Daniel
    Posted May 21, 2009 at 6:18 pm | Permalink

    #
    donndublin
    Posted May 21, 2009 at 6:13 pm | Permalink

    Rhonda puts up another skoll-over thread.

    I wonder why she still has her job. Must be doing her boss.
    =============================================

    Why does your mind go there, donndublin?

    WTF is wrong with you?

  9. cosmos_originally
    Posted May 21, 2009 at 7:06 pm | Permalink

    Daniel posted May 21, 2009 at 6:18 pm
    #
    donndublin
    Posted May 21, 2009 at 6:13 pm | Permalink

    Rhonda puts up another skoll-over thread.

    I wonder why she still has her job. Must be doing her boss.
    =============================================

    Why does your mind go there, donndublin?

    WTF is wrong with you?
    ————————–

    That’s just how donndublin thinks(sic).