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Opinion
As the date fast approaches for the critical vote on Eagle River Station, I feel that it is important to keep in mind several key points: The promise of tax revenue is dependent on extremely optimistic sales projections by the developer, RED.
Their numbers are predicated on 40 percent of the income of all residents in their market area (Silverthorne to Glenwood Springs) being spent at ERS. It's in their market study. If you believe these numbers, perhaps I could interest you in a certain bridge over the East River in New York City.
Planning and Zoning rejected the ERS application twice. In addition, if the town of Eagle voters approve this measure on Jan. 5, RED will have the right to sell their rights to some other entity with whom the town has not negotiated. They very likely may never start (or finish) the project themselves.
What do you think of the traffic situation in Eagle now? Do you think the ERS project will add to or subtract from the problem? My bet is that traffic will become chaotic (especially in the construction phases, perhaps six years in duration).
If ERS is to meet their inflated projections, there will have to be a lot more traffic.
I have read that 1,900 construction jobs will be created during “full buildout.” That could be years and years from now.
Did you know that RED Development is only required to build 50 residences and 200,000 square feet of commercial space and that they are not required to start the development until 2012, plus have three years of extensions?
And did you know that RED's track record proves that they hire very few local construction workers? Go to www.nobailout4red.com.
If “the new normal” means that we are all in for years of a “muddle-through economy,” how in the world does anyone expect that ERS will be a successful project?
In fact, if “muddle through” does become reality, it would seem that ERS will be a burden on the taxpayers of the town and the five trustees who voted for it will be long gone.
Remember, there is an add-on tax of 1.3 percent at ERS, so the consumer will be paying more just to shop there.
Remember the 1996 Eagle Area Community Plan? What a waist of time that was if ERS is approved. ERS was based on and in violation of that plan.
I do not live in the town of Eagle, and therefore, I cannot cast my “no” vote on Jan. 5.
I do have an Eagle address, however. If ERS is approved, I will thank my lucky stars that I don't live “in town” because I can see a large tax train wreck ahead.
I urge all voters to get informed by going to www.votenoers.com. Please go and vote “no”!
Crosby Foster, Eagle
Their numbers are predicated on 40 percent of the income of all residents in their market area (Silverthorne to Glenwood Springs) being spent at ERS. It's in their market study. If you believe these numbers, perhaps I could interest you in a certain bridge over the East River in New York City.
Planning and Zoning rejected the ERS application twice. In addition, if the town of Eagle voters approve this measure on Jan. 5, RED will have the right to sell their rights to some other entity with whom the town has not negotiated. They very likely may never start (or finish) the project themselves.
What do you think of the traffic situation in Eagle now? Do you think the ERS project will add to or subtract from the problem? My bet is that traffic will become chaotic (especially in the construction phases, perhaps six years in duration).
If ERS is to meet their inflated projections, there will have to be a lot more traffic.
I have read that 1,900 construction jobs will be created during “full buildout.” That could be years and years from now.
Did you know that RED Development is only required to build 50 residences and 200,000 square feet of commercial space and that they are not required to start the development until 2012, plus have three years of extensions?
And did you know that RED's track record proves that they hire very few local construction workers? Go to www.nobailout4red.com.
If “the new normal” means that we are all in for years of a “muddle-through economy,” how in the world does anyone expect that ERS will be a successful project?
In fact, if “muddle through” does become reality, it would seem that ERS will be a burden on the taxpayers of the town and the five trustees who voted for it will be long gone.
Remember, there is an add-on tax of 1.3 percent at ERS, so the consumer will be paying more just to shop there.
Remember the 1996 Eagle Area Community Plan? What a waist of time that was if ERS is approved. ERS was based on and in violation of that plan.
I do not live in the town of Eagle, and therefore, I cannot cast my “no” vote on Jan. 5.
I do have an Eagle address, however. If ERS is approved, I will thank my lucky stars that I don't live “in town” because I can see a large tax train wreck ahead.
I urge all voters to get informed by going to www.votenoers.com. Please go and vote “no”!
Crosby Foster, Eagle
