Civic politics junkies have been waiting to see whether the NPA would get into the ugly topic of the Olympic village, a tricky one for them as the party risks getting mud on its own face. As you’ll recall, the uproar over the village’s financial mess three years ago dominated the election campaign.
Today, Suzanne Anton decided to call for an accounting on the village’s finances, which I guess she and her party are hoping will get voters thinking about the more recent Vision Vancouver decisions on the village (keep the social housing, put the whole project into receivership, etc.) rather than the earlier NPA ones (commit to building a village with a private developer, accepting a bid based on the highest price rather than most experienced builder, lending money to the private developer when other financing started to fall apart).
But, oddly, apparently the city manager just issued a memo to all councillors, including Suzanne, that provides an update on many of the numbers Suzanne was asking for.
Here it is, for those wondering what’s happening. (Personally, I’d like to know how much of the mortgage is left and what we’re paying per month on it. We got those numbers a few months ago, but it would be nice to see them updated. Here is a link to the info that was presented in the spring.)
Suzanne’s news release is below.
Sent: Tuesday, October 04, 2011 10:11 PM
To: Direct to Mayor and Council – DL
Cc: Honrado, Lara; Aujla, Bill; McLellan, David; Prosken, Brenda; Ballem, Penny; Welman, Mairi; Stewart, Wendy; Impey, Patrice; Flanigan, Michael; Coulson, Marg
Subject: Council Update on SEFC Project
Urban Fare: scheduled to open in June 2012 but they are attempting to open in May 2012
Three (3) other commercial spaces are still available ; lease negotiations for two (2) of these spaces are anticipated by the Receiver to be finalized shortly
“The Olympic Village at Southeast False Creek has been an ongoing financial concern for Vancouver residents,” says Anton. “And Mayor Robertson promised during the last election to be open and transparent on this. They need to report on the village by November 1.”
A receiver was appointed to oversee the development in November 2010. Anton says the last financial reporting by the city was in April 2011. She believes a report would be of great interest to voters at this point.
Anton has submitted a motion requesting staff provide a complete reporting on the Olympic Village project by 1 November 2011 including: sales month to month, the overall financial position of the project, and the social housing occupancy, including numbers of market/ non-market tenants, and numbers of police, fire and teacher occupants as directed by council motion of April 2010.
110 responses so far ↓
1 IanS // Oct 19, 2011 at 9:11 am
@Chris Keam #99,
“No, a collective tantrum happened last June when our area’s sporting team failed to be superior to the other area’s sporting team.”
Good point.
“I think it’s expecting a lot more than any organization could achieve to suggest an ad hoc movement that’s about a month old should already be issuing a detailed list of solutions.”
I agree with that. I’d be interested in seeing a list of demands, though. Or wishes. Or goals.
“In terms of a democratic expression of ideas and potential solutions, at this point Team Occupy seems to be at least as capable as Parliament’s Question Period at engaging the public and talking about big ideas”
Talk about damning with faint praise.
“I went by the VAG on Sunday and was impressed by the level of organization, the amount of thought that has gone into facilitating discussions, and the diversity of the Occupiers.”
I would certainly agree that a lot of effort has gone into organization. Given the unfocussed nature of the exercise, though, I do think it’s a shame that the same level of organizational effort didn’t go into something that’s more likely to achieve anything.
“Side note: Riding home from downtown last night, through the pre-game Canuck crowd, the smell of pot was unmistakable and prevalent. It was non-existent for the 15 minutes or so I was at the Occupy Vancouver encampment.”
This seems to be a bit of a non sequiter. Not sure what your point is here. I didn’t suggest the “Occupy” protesters were pot heads and, if it turns out that one of their goals is the legalization of pot, then I’d be in total agreement.
“If you haven’t visited the site, I highly recommend checking out the north east corner where there are a number of bulletin boards explaining how they handle group discussions. An interesting approach.”
I’ve been reading about the group discussion approach in the papers and on the rabble.ca forum. I can’t help but be reminded of the scene from “Life of Brian” where the revolutionaries are debating what to call themselves.
2 IanS // Oct 19, 2011 at 9:27 am
@Spartikus #98,
“You of course mean things like a trillion dollar bailout to relieve you of the obligations of the bad loans you made.”
I didn’t make any loans, bad or otherwise.
(OK, full disclosure, I did loan some money to my sister a few years ago and she didn’t pay me back.)
Not sure if that was a typo on your part or simply a spurious ad hominem statement.
3 Peter // Oct 19, 2011 at 10:05 am
It is my understanding that the 427 units that have already been sold generatd $57 million for the city. That is an average price per unit of $133,500. There are 284 units left which, once sold, will generate another $40 million more for the city.
I also understand that today the total debt left outstanding for the Olympic village amounts to some $704 million.
Hence, once the Olympic village is sold the City of Vancouver ends up with a residual debt of some $664 millions.
If my numbers are correct – who will pay for this debt? Gregor Robertson out of his pension?
4 Michelle // Oct 19, 2011 at 11:14 am
Ha :-)!
Michael Geller #96,
I’m with you on this 100%!
Been trying to approach Glissando for some time but to no avail, he is such a mysterious character. He/ she would have made a great politician IMO. And boy aren’t we in need of one considering the stock we have to work with?
You would have made a great candidate for Council/ Mayor, Michael! Too bad, the voters chose to vote for Gregor’s bling and glitz in 2008, instead of competence, ideas, integrity, non partisan… aka what we need!
To conclude… common Glissy! 🙂
5 Frank Ducote // Oct 19, 2011 at 4:14 pm
Michael – I might agree with you about encourcouraging him/her to come out of the shadows, if for no other reason than I like to know who is talking, especially so frequently, at such length and so imaginatively. I don’t think many people could afford your suggested attendance fee, however, so maybe a voluntary donation is all that’s needed.
Maybe Roger could join Glissando on stage for a real barnburner of an evening!
6 Chris Keam // Oct 19, 2011 at 8:33 pm
@Ian
“This seems to be a bit of a non sequiter. Not sure what your point is here. I didn’t suggest the “Occupy” protesters were pot heads”
That part of my comment was in response to post #76
7 Glissando Remmy // Oct 19, 2011 at 11:14 pm
Michael #97…
Thanks for your kind words, but I am not looking forward to a public debate anytime soon, too complicated, I like it the way it is… for now at least! 🙂
Michelle #105 Frank #106
After reading your comments, I almost called my FBI connection to let them know I want them to bring me in… naah! 🙂
Thanks again and please accept my GR-eetings!
8 Chris Keam // Oct 20, 2011 at 8:24 am
“I like it the way it is”
Well of course you do GR. It’s nearlly impossible to hold you accountable for your agit-prop.
9 Glissando Remmy // Oct 20, 2011 at 11:27 am
Oh, Chris #109
I see a Ballad for the Copenhagen Biker coming…
I can’t get past the title though, and I’m in a hurry, help me out, pedal with me…
GR-eetings!
10 Chris Keam // Oct 20, 2011 at 8:19 pm
Remember when you were funny GR? The good old days when you hadn’t Dennis Miller’ed? I miss those days.