Shopping Center

I have spent many hours doing my due diligence on the future of this shopping center. After reviewing many documents and asking the hard questions, the issue comes down to: Is this good for all the citizens of the county? The county is very large with the majority of the business revenue coming from farming. The county is ranked in the top three in the state for the amount of money it receives from the state and federal governments to help with county operations. This also is true when it comes to gas tax. We do not receive enough money from this tax to cover our road and bridge repair needs, so the west side of the state has to help us with this expense.

Raising taxes on property owners and farmers is not going to solve our revenue problem now or in the future; we must grow our economic base. WSU’s student population of 18,000 plus increases our sales tax revenue, but only when school is in session, and only if they are spending their money in Whitman County.

The City of Moscow recently changed their big box store ordinance, and they are working on changing the city ordinances for expansion for a proposed new shopping center to be built behind the Palouse Mall. These facts were printed in the Daily News on September 20 and December 16, 2011.

Let us remember, sometimes history repeats itself.

The City of Pullman built a bridge to nowhere more than 30 years ago.

A shopping center was proposed and turned down by Pullman, and it is now the Palouse Mall.

How much revenue has been lost in this County the past thirty-plus years by this decision? The same thing is happening today! Do you believe that a shopping center is going to be built on the Palouse? The answer is yes.

Do you want it built in Whitman County or across the state line? Do you want Whitman County to reap the benefits of a shopping center and continue to grow and become an attractive site for business to grow and prosper, or do you want that growth to happen in Latah County?

The county had already agreed to $9.1 Million for infrastructure.

This agreement is dated May 28, 2008.

Following that, the economy went into a tailspin.

The original contract in which Hawkins agreed to pay the difference has now changed due to the change In the economy.

In return for the county paying for the infrastructure needed, Hawkins will guarantee two instead of one big box stores by January 2014, or the agreement is cancelled.

They have also agreed to keep this project on the books and not sell it off in the foreseeable future.

Hawkins has spent approximately $10 Million in land acquisition, water rights and for the digging of two wells.

This work was completed over 3 years ago and they have paid $1 Million in interest charges.

I believe this shows a true commitment by the developer.

The increased request of $5.9 Million towards the infrastructure will be turned over to the county upon completion.

Since the original agreement, the state has passed the LRF grant for this project.

It is worth $200,000 per year for 25 years a total of $5 Million, generated from sales tax.

Hawkins is considered to be one of the best in the industry with a very conservative approach in all their projections with a 35 year track record.

This is not the first recession they have been faced with.

Look back to the late 1970’s, 1980’s and to present, there have been several bumps in the economy.

As a County we need to send a positive message on this issue.

A plan is being developed to lower our risk as we move forward; the County will not pay any money until bench marks are met.

I believe the county has the financial backing to be able enter into this agreement.

Shoppers will not have to travel to Spokane or the Tri-Cities, when it is here in Whitman County.

Pat O’Neill,

Whitman County Commissioner