[Vision2020] Re: Alturas

[bjswan@moscow.com]

To hear Bill London and Mike Curley talk about Alturas, one would think Alturas 
is a huge siphon sucking the life out of Downtown Moscow and a big burden to 
the local taxpayers.  And if the City Council votes to "drastically" change the 
RTO Zoning by including the word "could," the siphon will get even bigger.  
They have been touting "the sky is falling" line for the past 8 years.  In 
reality, take an honest look at Alturas and judge for yourself.

Dan asked how many Downtown businesses have relocated to Alturas.  The answer 
is ONE.  Anderson & Walker moved to Alturas about three years ago.  There is 
now a retail store where Anderson & Walker used to be.  Moscow gained another 
business that wasn't there before.  There are NO losses and NO vacant store 
fronts because of Alturas.

Is it a burden on taxpayers?  Hardly.  Please look at the whole picture instead 
of narrow little pieces.  Alturas now provides 82 living wage jobs and $3.7 
million in salaries annually to Moscow and area residents.  It will also 
contribute over $40,000 in taxes to Moscow School District this year.  What do 
you think is the "buying power" of those 82 people?  Probably enough to keep 
several Downtown businesses open and storefronts occupied.

What if you looked at the University of Idaho or Moscow School District in the 
same narrow perspective as they are looking at Alturas?  Are the U-I and Moscow 
School District tax subsidized?  Are they unfairly competing with private 
colleges and schools?  Probably, but is the cost worth the benefit?  Of course. 
How much are you individually paying for Alturas?  Is there a line item on your 
tax bill for Alturas?  What is the cost to taxpayers?  Is this cost worth the 
benefit of having 82 living wage jobs for people who contribute their $3.7 
million back into the community?  I certainly hope so.  

Show me any other community the size of Moscow where a private developer 
successfully opened any kind of business park.  Pullman couldn't.  Neither 
could Lewiston.  But Pullman and Lewiston are there and ready to compete with 
us for the kinds of businesses we have in Alturas.  And rarely do you hear the 
kind of anti-business drum in those communities that Mike and Bill keep 
pounding.

It is unfortunate that some in Moscow do not appreciate clean businesses and 
living wage jobs that keep our community strong and alive.

B. J. Swanson


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