Racine's new liquor ordinance requires license applicants to prove that their establishment will "substantially improve the tax base."
Yes, the city has outlawed moderate and incremental improvements to the tax base. If you aren't going to sell a *!%#load of liquor, don't waste their time.
Rather than have would-be business owners prove that they will generate enough taxes to sate the insatiable, our aldermen should have to prove that vacant commercial properties generate more in taxes than those buildings housing viable businesses.
And a slightly tangential point. Note that the purpose of business, as evidenced by this ordinance, is to generate funds for the city. For all you saps like me that thought you were self employed, hah! You work for them now.
At some point we will need to fight for our freedom in this city.
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17 comments:
At some point we will need to fight for our freedom in this city.
I think we are there now and the best way to fight the power fight the good old boy system to get taxes under control is vote for Jody.
I am having the KRM people put together the numbers for my new convenience store. They are already estimating that over $400 million in sales will take place each day.
the story about the new 'standards' in liquor licensing and the rejection of Caroline Chuns' request as reported in the JT got shifted very quickly to the search file. When I talked with Caroline Chun yesterday she was unaware of the proposed and now accepted ordinance. I too was unaware of it's being considered on Monday night. I had read about it (I think Shakoor originally proposed it) but I thought it had died because it was examined and found to be lacking in merit. But NO. Apparently no one at the city level or at any other level (DRC, BID) tried to inform and/or help the Chuns or Michael Choi either. Another bad sign. Jody Harding certainly was aware of it. When she was asking her questions while sitting in the pews I thought she was just misinformed and then the meeting got going and there it was this blind ordinance. A number of the comments in the blog on the now hard to find story in the JT shows that people do have an understanding of what just happened here. I've encouraged Caroline to talk with a few people - Denis, you would be on my dream team regarding this matter. Liquor Lunacy gets right to it.
If I may I think a number of us who read and post here on the subject of Downtown and what should be done, should perhaps gather and talk further could I propose a meeting of like minds for say Saturday at Blue Berries?
colt I will be unable to attend a meeting on Saturday. Otherwise I am interested.
Sir
This is your gig what time and place works for you?
Could be a start of a great things you never know
yes Liquor stores are a great way to improve a tax base. I am sure you can find several examples other medium size rust belt cities revitalizing on the backs of new liquor stores.
yes Liquor stores are a great way to improve a tax base. I am sure you can find several examples other medium size rust belt cities revitalizing on the backs of new liquor stores.
Anon you have once again demonstrated your "brilliance" , as I look into your dazzling light for the truth It amazes how I am able to ignore the fact that an EMPTY store front in a business district, collects Less tax than one that has a business in operation...No wonder Akron is the new Vegas!!
Yes please more Kool Aid, and another for my friend Anon, just make sure it's 99% FACT free, or he won't be able to understand it!!
fact that an EMPTY store front in a business district, collects Less tax than one that has a business in operation
Not as far as the city is concerned. Property taxes are collected whether the spot is full or not.
The Value of the Building IMPROVES and increases if a viable business is in operation. We don't strictly Tax based on Square footage, We assess based on many factor's and those businesses that are increasing in value because of demand, versus those empty units all in line on 6th St.
Downtowner, I've been cruising the indexes (in preparation for a protest) and there are huge inconsistencies regarding assessments. Many buildings on Sixth Street, irrespective of whether or not they have 'viable' businesses are assessed higher than Main Street. This is why property owners ask more and more for rent. The problem is that neither the renter nor the property owner can make money when the street is as desolate as Sixth Street. The assessments are out of line with reality.
ha! taxes get collected either way Urban, you clown. Yeah, you get more taxes if there is a business in the building, but what do you want a bunch of liquor stores, and porn shops or should we do something and get them filled with stores normal people want to visit. You know like denis' trinket store. How to do that I don't know exactly, but too many liquor stores is not the way to do it..
Dear Anon, Let's let the free market work. These areas are zoned for retail, someone wants to open a retail location, Yes let's them open if they fail, they fail. Most small businesses don't last 5 years..But if we never allow them to even open, we block them all from succeeding.
If they open a poor business, or cater to the wort behaved customers, their fellow downtown merchants won't support them. The Downtown business community is great at supporting each other if it lifts the quality, and selection of the shoppes Downtown.
Hey Anon. Why don't you open up a business? Put your money where your mouth is!
BTW DT has "Zero" Liquor stores!!
Uncorked has Wine and Beer, and so does Java Vino, Odd Fellows is the closest and he runs a good business, keeps, the area clean and neat.
Were not talking a "Vegas Strip" of Liquor stores, just ONE. and offering some groceries too! Certainly could be supported by the downtown residents, merchants and visitors.
Urban,
That is a great idea, I will blog no further until I have opened my own business.
HMMM what does Downtown need another wig shop, a payday loan, a bar, or a shop. I am not convinced the free market is the best solution.
Brown,
I think the Open Pantry, or whatever it is called these days, on main sells liquor, is that not DT.
Unless the boundaries of the official downtown has changed (I am unaware of a change), the Open Pantry is not downtown. For some strange reason the dividing line on the southside of the downtown is Seventh Street - right down the middle. So buildings on the northside are downtown and buildings on the southside are not downtown. This means they are taxed differently and are luckier (re taxes) than the rest of us. It also means that the notorous Design Review Committee does not swoop in and tell you what color your building should be, etc. etc. Total 24 is not downtown either, Anon, so if you are one of those alderpeople on the licensing committee, get with it! I was told to go to Total 24 to buy liquor and groceries....which I could do if I start carrying.
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