I own 21 Technology Drive and 12 Commerce Ave. and was one of the early developers for the city of Lebanon’s Airport Business Park back in 1985. I have serious concerns about the 86-acre TIF district proposed to be developed for a second office park there.
First, it would generate competition for the existing Airpark. It would be far superior, given the city’s plan to install sidewalks, paved and wider roads and underground utilities. This would no doubt lead to tenants relocating into the newer office park, leaving our buildings vacant and even more undesirable.
Second, the city — due to poor planning and a lack of capital reserves — is not able to fulfill its obligations to maintain and preserve the roads of the existing Airpark. I believe our Airpark would only be further neglected as all resources and energy would be directed to the TIF district.
The roads leading up and into the Airpark are original — 33-plus years old — and in serious need of widening, new pavement and sidewalks.
There have been several instances of tractor-trailers being unable to maneuver in and out of warehouse buildings and getting stuck, completely blocking anyone from exiting or entering the Airpark, which poses a safety risk and makes it difficult for landlords to attract businesses that rely on tractor-trailer shipments.
I, and others, have brought these concerns to the city with only mumbles that it might come up with some money to repave the roads and install sidewalks in the Airpark and might consider widening Commerce Avenue.
I also want to point out that, although I could not find it budgeted anywhere within the 2019 city budget nor in the five-year capital plan, Centerra Resource Park (a much more recently developed and attractive office park with fewer needs) somehow found a way to be fully repaved this August.
Having constructed five buildings in the 1980s, I was one of the major influencers in getting this Airpark established. Today it has grown to 18 buildings and, as I calculate it, has contributed more than $52 million in tax revenue. None of this money is being reinvested back into the Airpark.
With a development proposed for next door, values of the existing buildings would be seriously impacted with its outdated and unkept appearances.
Our Airpark is the face of Lebanon when anyone arrives by plane, and it is not an attractive face.Using our tax dollars to compete with ourselves and leaving us in a disadvantaged position is not acceptable.
If the city is coming up with $350,000 in 2020 to invest into this TIF district, I want our Airpark to be first in line for this money for road, sidewalk and utility improvements. Even after the meetings and outreach to the city by myself and others, there are still no plans nor funds targeted to be reinvested into the Airpark in the 2020-2025 capital plan. This is also unacceptable.
If, after the city has funded and addressed the existing Airpark’s needs, it wishes to proceed with developing a second office park, that is the city’s decision.
But let’s take care of what the city already has on its plate, and the property owners who have long supported it. These needs and obligations have been neglected for far too long.