The Case Against Replacing Scottville City Hall

[XLFD]

Editor’s Note: XLFD is editor-in-chief of The Ludington Torch and also serves as a Scottville city commission meeting attendee. This article is an opinion editorial (op/ed) and represents the views of the author who grew up in Scottville when it was objectively much better than it is now.

In one of the most insipid op/eds I have ever read, Former Scottville City Commissioner and current Mason County Press Editor Rob Alway made The Case for Replacing Scottville City Hall.  A little over two months ago, Alway made his best decision ever, resigning a mere two days after being reelected, but ever since he's been on a roll towards irrelevancy.  Alway introduces his plan in his initial paragraph of the op/ed:

"During the last regular meeting of the Scottville City Commission, held Jan. 9, the commission set its goals for 2023. One of the goals that I suggested was to move out of City Hall. Anyone who knows me knows that I love history and am a strong advocate for historic preservation. But, more importantly, I am an elected representative of the people of Scottville and it’s my job, as a commissioner, to make decisions that are best for the residents and taxpayers of our community."

Already, one wonders why moving out of city hall is a good idea for taxpayers and residents and why moving city offices out of the historical building which was constructed for city offices and services less than a decade after Scottville's incorporation would settle with those who actually care about Scottville's history and its preservation, including preservation of purpose.

Alway proceeds to lay out a questionable plan in support of his title, and one cannot help but remember that this was the same guy who resigned his commissioner seat claiming that three or four other councilors were wanting to take the city in a direction he disagreed with, claiming it would lead to the city's ruination and reasoned:  "if I resign, I can somehow stop it."  No, Rob, had you continued, you could have debated the city's direction with six other representatives elected by the community as if they were your equals.

Alway relates that the building is less used than it has been in the past, when the fire department and more city offices were under that one roof.  Scottville's evolution through the years led to other buildings being used to house the SFD and the SDPW, city services that needed more space for engines and equipment which has changed a lot from 1916.  Scottville's City Hall could have hosted other county, state and federal agencies that wanted a home or satellite office in the center of Mason County, such as the USDA which currently has two locations just outside the city limits.  These additional tenants would have created opportunities to allow an elevator in the building that could have been paid for without local taxpayer dollars.

"The building is showing its age. It is in need of major electrical upgrades. The roof needs replacement. The facade is crumbling." 

What sort of electrical upgrades do you need for three full-time officials who have modern lighting, heating, air conditioning, and internet service?  If there's a leaky or deteriorating roof, why can't we see evidence of that, and if you plan on selling the property, why wouldn't you fix that roof beforehand?  We can see the evidence firsthand of the 'crumbling facade' because the facade is actually pretty solid, as seen above. 

Then Mr. Alway shows that he wants to give tons of public money to those who may want to buy city hall and shows his ignorance:

"A private owner would most likely qualify for financial assistance, possibly through brownfield or Michigan Economic Development Corporation, to invest in the needed upgrades, while the city’s chances of receiving such funds are very low. A private owner would also maximize all the space in the building."

The City of Scottville qualifies for megatons of financial assistance from grants, they just received about 2/3 of a million for electrical upgrades in the Riverside Park through a Sparks grant, they're going for more.  If a private owner qualifies for 'financial assistance' through Brownfields that money comes from the local taxpayers, Rob, meaning they are not only paying for the new city hall, but they are also paying wealthy developers for upgrading the old city hall for their own private purposes.  The MEDC isn't likely to invest much state taxpayer money in such a project, but if they do, it will be as inefficient as possible (see Legacy Park's $2.5 million price tag).

After noting how the sale of city hall would bolster the tax rolls (providing you can actually find a buyer), he does note that the other undetermined downtown building they would take over would go off the tax rolls. but it would likely be less of a hit.  Of course, if the City's Brownfield Authority decides to help, the eventual TIF plan will obviate that bonus for decades.

He ponders that the commission could always meet at the Scottville Library if the new city hall building does not have enough space for meetings.  It seems rather sad that Mr. Alway's idea of a replacement city hall is a building that can't even host its own public meetings, it has to mooch meeting rooms off of county buildings.  

"While fiscal responsibility is certainly the primary reason for this goal, I also think that moving out of the current hall and opening a “new” city hall would be a strong symbol of a new direction for the city as well."

For the above reasons I see nothing fiscally responsible in Mr. Alway's plan, you uproot the city seat from the only place it's ever been, a stately historical building with the proud political history of Scottville taking place within its confines in the hope that you can find a buyer the area's taxpayers can subsidize enough to make the sale worthwhile for them.  It's a net loss.

I have to totally agree with Former Commissioner Rob Alway when he says that moving out of city hall to a downtown building not designed to act as a city hall would be a strong symbol of a new direction for the city.  That direction is south to completely stupid.  

[Willy]

I think Alway is losing it. His plan makes no sense, especially for a small town like Scottville.

Scottville is turning into Hooterville.

[XLFD]

Knowing Rob Alway's propensity for profiting from his public service, maybe he is wanting to house Mason County Press World Headquarters out of the old city hall.  Or maybe he's even more ambitious and wants to house the World Famous Scottville Clown Band College in that venue rather than use it for the shameful clowncil.  

That's your cue to rework city hall into a clown college, Willy, so we can see how it fits with the rest of downtown.

[Willy]

I did some research and found the preliminary sketch of the new City Hall / clown college.

[XLFD]

It's a nice rendition, but I think people would get very confused if you combine the city hall with the clown college.  How could one tell whether they were in a senior level classroom or attending a city clowncil meeting?

[Freedom Seeker]

Amazing artwork, Willy!

[Willy]

Thanks Freedom Seeker. X, I think they anticipated the confusion and that's why it's called City Center.