04/28/2023
Pier 334 Project - Open Records Request
Over the past several years, the city of Gun Barrel has looked into varies projects to benefit the city having to do with the former Big Chief Landing (BCL) property that was purchased by the GBC EDC back in 2016. The attached newspaper article, written in the Athens Daily Review by local resident Kathi Nailing, describes the desire to build a civic center for use in “boat shows, gun shows, concerts and private gatherings” but over time it became clear that any project of this magnitude would likely be impossible due the cost as well as the limited size of the property. Former GBC Council Member Linda Rankin was quoted as saying back then “The council will need to discuss the use of the property, and the cost involved before a decision can be made”. Former EDC Board President Steven Schiff is quoted saying at that time “We would like these projects to be part of our citizens lives”. Over the next few years nothing much happened for the simple reason that any project that fit the above goals could not be put together due to cost.
In 2019-2020 The GBC City Council hired a new EDC Executive Director who decided to make this project a priority and eventually approached both the EDC Board and City Council Members with a Public Private Partnership that we now know as Pier 334. Meetings were held to keep both groups informed of the progress toward making this deal happen and there was unanimous consensus almost every step of the way. I am also aware that immediately after this deal first was proposed another member of city council began making inquiries about the BCL property for another unrelated project but this was apparently never brought to either the EDC or Council for their consideration.
Over the past two years something changed. While this project has been discussed and elements have been voted on by both the EDC Board and the City Council it became clear that while the EDC Board and the majority of the City Council has maintained 100% support to continue moving forward, satisfied that all requirements had been met and the benefit to the community was improving as new elements were added, two members of the City Council have consistently voted NO every time this project has been brought up. I have personally asked both what their objections were and was told consistently that a member can vote whatever way they want and owed no one any explanation. While I agree with a member’s right to vote as they see fit, I have remained concerned that no member of the public seem to understand the reasoning either.
Recently, Ken Foster, who I am running against for City Council Place 5, posted his “Thoughts on Pier 334…….Why have I voted against this project” which lists his twelve bullet points that, after reading, I remain even more concerned. His list includes what he considers a lack of transparency but EDC experts will tell you this is simply wrong. Many of the documents that he complains were never provided either “don’t exist” or have never been provided due to their proprietary nature. For example, a “Site Survey” or “Feasibility Study” are reports that a developer pays to have put together, at considerable expense to their business, to determine the potential viability of a proposed project (i.e. Walmart would never share surveys or studies with Target because they are in competition. Same with Coke and Pepsi). And keep in mind, this is 100% appropriate for a developer to do. While an EDC Executive Director might see them the board and council would not due to their sensitive nature. A recent incident where a GBC Council Member shared PRELIMINARY drawings of a proposed Multi-Purpose Center, but called them FINAL to a local newspaper left confusion and accusations in its wake. This is simply no way to do business.
My ambition here is simple. I have submitted an Open Records Request to Gun Barrel City and the GBC EDC requesting each and every document Mr. Foster references regarding Pier 334 but for all EDC projects that he has voted for or against as both an EDC Board Member or as a City Council Member. I already know what the results will be. None of the documents that were the basis of Mr. Foster voting NO on this project ever existed on any past or current project either and his reasons for voting NO for Pier 334 remain known to him and him alone. This is the opposite of Transparency. Another recent Open Records Request led to the discovery of an email from a local business owner to Mr. Foster where the business owner demanded anonymity and asked for assistance is shutting down this project.
I have one objective as a member of Gun Barrel City Council. Provide for the creation and retention of jobs, business and the quality of life for our residents and guests. If a business is right for our community, it will provide jobs and revenue to provide for our city’s services and it will positively enhance all of our quality of life. GBC is fortunate to have a diverse range of businesses and services and the time & opportunity to add a third anchor is here. Your vote in the upcoming election is your opportunity to have a say in these same choices. Thank you!!!
Richard Yaws
Gun Barrel City Council
