TOLEDO -- The city of Toledo is one step closer to getting Costco and redevelopment at the Westgate shopping area. After a ton of debate over the past weeks and concessions on the developers' side and from Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, the planning commission approved the site plan and the special use permit for the project.
Westgate owners agreed to several things including creating a new gathering place for shoppers, installing decorative lighting and signs, plus replacing some parking spots with green space. The owners also got six different waivers in their favor.
The commission seemed pleased with the compromises and unanimously voted for the plan. "What the lesson is for this community is to stop saying we aren't good enough to get the best," said Planning Commissioner Rey Boezi.
Some city leaders and the owners of Westgate warn while this is a major step forward, the project is far from a done deal. There are several factors that still need attention before construction can begin.
One of the big questions is whether or not the city will give Costco tax breaks. Mayor Finkbeiner said he has to look over the tax abatement proposal from Westgate owners to see if giving the company about $300,000 dollars in tax breaks is the right way to go.
We asked Westgate neighbors and business owners what they think. "Just really a ridiculous idea," said Pat O'Connor who owns the Culture Clash record shop in Westgate. He's owned a store in Westgate for the past 20 years. He told News 11 he's moving out of Westgate soon and the idea of another big box store like Costco coming in and it getting tax breaks, is not music to his ears. "It's not really supplying more jobs," said O'Connor. "For every chain store that comes in from out of state, for every job they offer two are lost in the individual business sector," he added.
Mayor Finkbeiner said he's not sure tax abatements are the way to go with this project because the city would then pay that money to Washington Local Schools. "This city of Toledo taxpayers money being expended for the first time ever to a school district... that precedent is one that could come haunt us down the road," said the mayor.
Some city leaders like Councilwoman Ellen Grachek are for the abatements as are many neighbors who live around Westgate. "I feel more secure with something over there...whatever it is," said neighbor Shirley Murray. "If (abatements are) what it takes, then so be it," she added.
"We need the jobs in the town so I figured it would be just fine," said neighbor Wal Burrows. "Any good business would like to get the best deal possible when they're coming in and it shows the city is standing behind them," neighbor Nancy Wellman told News 11.
O'Connor couldn't disagree more. "Overall, I think Toledo is going to lose on it and to give abatements for that is just... out of the question," O'Connor said. "[Costco is] a big company... they should be able to afford it."
Mayor Finkbeiner said he'll look at some other options that may be able to replace the tax abatements so taxpayers don't have to foot the bill. Westgate owners said the abatements are a very important part of getting what they need for the project.
