Rieckman's Got It Backwards: Esslinger's Bay Beach proposal is in the spirit of old Mayor Stevens
[We received this editorial piece from Tony Palmeri and are pleased to post it here]
In 1889 Oshkosh Mayor Stevens used taxpayer dollars to purchase the swampland that became Menominee Park. In 2005 the "Fab Five" on the Oshkosh Common Council (Mark Harris, Bill Castle, Shirley Mattox, Frank Tower, Burk Tower) support using taxpayer dollars to build an amphitheater and may soon vote to use taxpayer dollars to support development of land around the Fox River that will include condominiums.
For Oshkosh Northwestern Executive Editor Stew Rieckman, the contemporary Council majority are "leaders with aspirations for Oshkosh" just like old Mayor Stevens.
Stew's got it backwards.
In 1889 Mayor Stevens understood that a city could purchase private land, protect the land from the grasp of private developers, and use the land for purely public purposes. After purchasing the land from Colonel Lucas Miller, Stevens did not create a "redevelopment authority" to look for ways to privatize it. Instead, he succeeded in keeping the land off limits to private developers and led the way to the creation of a glorious public park.
In the contemporary amphitheater and $62 million Five Rivers Resort proposal, by contrast, the 5 supportive members of the Oshkosh Common Council have not purchased land for purely public purposes. Rather, they have laid the foundation for the exploitation of the land by private developers. Amphitheater entertainment will probably be run by a private promoter, and the city may not even collect concession revenues as there appears to be support on the Council for privatizing that also. The Five Rivers Resort proposal as described is an even more blatant hand over of public resources to a private corporation.
Stevens' vision was of a public park that could be enjoyed by every citizen. That is NOT the vision guiding the amphitheater and Resort proposal. Probably less than half of the population of Oshkosh will ever use the amphitheater, either due to lack of interest or they simply won't be able to afford the price of a ticket. As for luxury condos on the Fox River, you'd think the number of vacancies in the "luxury apartment" complex on 100 North Main St. would pull the plug on the proposal. Think again.
There is one suggestion for Fox River development that is consistent with the ideals of old Mayor Stevens. That would be mayoral candidate Paul Esslinger's proposal for a Bay Beach style amusement park, similar to the one in Green Bay. Rieckman pooh poohs suggestions like this as "well intentioned," but "timid and not the inspired thinking Oshkosh needs." Apparently for Rieckman when a city asserts that public resources should be used public purposes it is "timidity," but to hand over public resources to out of state, private developers is "inspired thinking."
Take a look at this description of the Bay Beach Amusement Park from the city of Green Bay website and then decide how "timid" it is compared to a condominium proposal:
"Today, Bay Beach Amusement Park serves more than one million guests each season. They come for company picnics, family reunions, or simply to have fun. Seven different shelters can be rented for family or company get-togethers. There are volleyball courts, 16 amusement rides, a live pony ring, softball diamond, wading pool, two concession stands and one restaurant. There is no admission charge and the parking is free. Ride tickets cost .25 cents each, with the rides requiring one or two tickets per rider. Those who attend the park are most often families. Early in the spring, school groups from all parts of the state and upper Michigan come to the park during a week designated as 'school group week.' The park focuses its efforts in trying to provide a safe, fun and affordable time for everybody."
Can Rieckman or any member of the Common Council seriously argue that the amphitheater and/or condominium proposal will bring even a fraction of the activity to Oshkosh that Bay Beach brings to Green Bay?
Since the chamber of commerce and its representatives on the Common Council and spokesmen in the press have placed the condominium development on the fast track, Esslinger's Bay Beach proposal may not ever get a serious hearing. That's too bad, as his proposal is the only one in the spirit of old Mayor Stevens.
- submitted by Tony Palmeri
In 1889 Oshkosh Mayor Stevens used taxpayer dollars to purchase the swampland that became Menominee Park. In 2005 the "Fab Five" on the Oshkosh Common Council (Mark Harris, Bill Castle, Shirley Mattox, Frank Tower, Burk Tower) support using taxpayer dollars to build an amphitheater and may soon vote to use taxpayer dollars to support development of land around the Fox River that will include condominiums.
For Oshkosh Northwestern Executive Editor Stew Rieckman, the contemporary Council majority are "leaders with aspirations for Oshkosh" just like old Mayor Stevens.
Stew's got it backwards.
In 1889 Mayor Stevens understood that a city could purchase private land, protect the land from the grasp of private developers, and use the land for purely public purposes. After purchasing the land from Colonel Lucas Miller, Stevens did not create a "redevelopment authority" to look for ways to privatize it. Instead, he succeeded in keeping the land off limits to private developers and led the way to the creation of a glorious public park.
In the contemporary amphitheater and $62 million Five Rivers Resort proposal, by contrast, the 5 supportive members of the Oshkosh Common Council have not purchased land for purely public purposes. Rather, they have laid the foundation for the exploitation of the land by private developers. Amphitheater entertainment will probably be run by a private promoter, and the city may not even collect concession revenues as there appears to be support on the Council for privatizing that also. The Five Rivers Resort proposal as described is an even more blatant hand over of public resources to a private corporation.
Stevens' vision was of a public park that could be enjoyed by every citizen. That is NOT the vision guiding the amphitheater and Resort proposal. Probably less than half of the population of Oshkosh will ever use the amphitheater, either due to lack of interest or they simply won't be able to afford the price of a ticket. As for luxury condos on the Fox River, you'd think the number of vacancies in the "luxury apartment" complex on 100 North Main St. would pull the plug on the proposal. Think again.
There is one suggestion for Fox River development that is consistent with the ideals of old Mayor Stevens. That would be mayoral candidate Paul Esslinger's proposal for a Bay Beach style amusement park, similar to the one in Green Bay. Rieckman pooh poohs suggestions like this as "well intentioned," but "timid and not the inspired thinking Oshkosh needs." Apparently for Rieckman when a city asserts that public resources should be used public purposes it is "timidity," but to hand over public resources to out of state, private developers is "inspired thinking."
Take a look at this description of the Bay Beach Amusement Park from the city of Green Bay website and then decide how "timid" it is compared to a condominium proposal:
"Today, Bay Beach Amusement Park serves more than one million guests each season. They come for company picnics, family reunions, or simply to have fun. Seven different shelters can be rented for family or company get-togethers. There are volleyball courts, 16 amusement rides, a live pony ring, softball diamond, wading pool, two concession stands and one restaurant. There is no admission charge and the parking is free. Ride tickets cost .25 cents each, with the rides requiring one or two tickets per rider. Those who attend the park are most often families. Early in the spring, school groups from all parts of the state and upper Michigan come to the park during a week designated as 'school group week.' The park focuses its efforts in trying to provide a safe, fun and affordable time for everybody."
Can Rieckman or any member of the Common Council seriously argue that the amphitheater and/or condominium proposal will bring even a fraction of the activity to Oshkosh that Bay Beach brings to Green Bay?
Since the chamber of commerce and its representatives on the Common Council and spokesmen in the press have placed the condominium development on the fast track, Esslinger's Bay Beach proposal may not ever get a serious hearing. That's too bad, as his proposal is the only one in the spirit of old Mayor Stevens.
- submitted by Tony Palmeri
posted by Cheryl Hentz at 11:44 PM
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