Posted by prm, a resident of the North Whisman neighborhood, on Apr 23, 2009 at 2:48 pm

Did Duggan say WHY it doesn't make sense to compare paying $30 million for this thing with the $0 Google and $19 million Hyatt proposals?

Posted by mrp, a resident of the Cuesta Park neighborhood, on Apr 23, 2009 at 9:14 pm

prm- read the last five paragraphs for the answer to your question about Google. Abe-Koga and the rest of the union council members will block any deal with a non-union hotel. Worse, they're willing to spend 30 million of your dollars to do it.

Posted by Kathy, a resident of the Sylvan Park neighborhood, on Apr 24, 2009 at 9:25 am

Agree we need a full service hotel, unclear why Google not steopping up to have a stake in the project they will benefit from it, let them kick in the 30M Also on a different hotel issue, does the City have any plans for that 'Hotel' in downtown Mtn View on Evelyn (Pacific Euro)? As Bette Davis would say 'what a dump' Couldn't they work with one of the Kimpton or JDV Hotels to develop a Boutique hotel in that location? I bet it would be popular for visitors (both business and on vacation) being close to Cal Train, restaurants, etc. Better than being isolated up on El Camino or off of 101.

Posted by Daniel DeBolt, Mountain View Voice Staff Writer, on Apr 24, 2009 at 10:09 am
Daniel DeBolt is a member (registered user) of Mountain View Online

Unless you live in the mobile home park on Space Park Way or you own business property in the Shoreline district, there is no way the city can use "your (tax) money," as mrp put it, to pay for the hotel under this plan. The funds would the come from Shoreline tax district, which covers the business district north of Highway 101 and east of Stevens Creek.

And as it says in the story, "Property taxes from the hotel, along with property taxes from the Google land lease on the north end of the site, would be enough to pay for the city's contribution to the hotel's development."

Posted by Jon Wiener, a resident of another community, on Apr 24, 2009 at 11:02 am

Daniel,

I think you're being too easy on the city here. Tax money that originates from businesses still rightfully belongs to the public. Even given the restrictions from a tax haven like the Shoreline district, that money is still the city's to decide how to spend.

Posted by Daniel DeBolt, Mountain View Voice Staff Writer, on Apr 24, 2009 at 11:13 am
Daniel DeBolt is a member (registered user) of Mountain View Online

Perhaps I went too far in saying there is "no way" but the point is that these funds are relatively isolated.

Posted by Jon Wiener, a resident of another community, on Apr 24, 2009 at 1:55 pm

The fact that the funds are isolated is the problem. It's not like you and I get to choose to have our tax revenue spent only in our neighborhoods for the particular services we benefit from. Maybe it's the David Cay Johnston (Web Link) I've been reading, but I think "your dollars" is a perfectly appropriate way to put it.

Posted by Jon Wiener, a resident of another community, on Apr 24, 2009 at 1:59 pm

Good article though. I appreciate the thoroughness.

Posted by GDM, a resident of the Blossom Valley neighborhood, on Apr 24, 2009 at 3:48 pm

Why does Mountain View need a full service hotel? The city has been lusting for one for at least the last 25 years? If there was a REAL need for such a hotel it would have been built years ago using private money. If they build it I doubt that it will be a success. The city will take a bath. I think Council Member Inks is correct.

Posted by Smart Growther, a resident of the Old Mountain View neighborhood, on Apr 27, 2009 at 9:10 am

I agree GDM. The land has been held for over 25 years and not one developer has come forward on their own. Why do they need a 30m dollar subsidy from the city to entice them. Its because of the additional perks requested by council; labor agreements, conference room, larger banquet facilities. The developers are not stupid, they agree to these overpriced/preference items and then tell the city what they will cost. These are really public projects that are overpriced because of council preferences. The project may make money but the google project would have returned far more.