City Elections: Jonathan Tietz on Hacienda Hotel and Redevelopment

Patch recently asked the seven candidates running for New Port Richey City Council: "What is your vision for the future of the Hacienda Hotel? What are your ideas for use or redevelopment of other vacant properties the city owns, like the First Baptist Church Site and Post Office?"

We got answers.

Here's what Jonathan Tietz had to say:

I have spoken extensively on this topic with residents, city council members, and city staff about these properties. With public information available to any resident it would appear to me that the Post Office is a good choice to host a business incubator.

I also agree with the Council that the Hacienda should be renovated and provided as a city-owned tenant property housing something like the West Pasco Chamber and a restaurant as Deputy Mayor Marlowe has suggested, but I would like to see it eventually developed into a high class hotel for the downtown area. I know that there are challenges involved in selling these properties, but I would also like to stress that it is financially irresponsible for the city to attempt to hold on to every property it currently owns and try to redevelop them all. In 2011 the city hired AECOM Technical Services, Inc. for $50,000 as a consultant on these properties. Their final report in summation told the city to sell all of these properties immediately. We have to let at least a couple of these properties go, even if sold at far less than they were purchased for. The city is simply paying far too much in interest payments on loans on these properties, and it is starving the city of manpower and financial resources, and has led directly to the layoffs and budget crisis the city is experiencing.

The commercial properties I would like to see sold immediately would be Mission Church on south River Road (which is also in shambles with uncut grass, etc. at the moment) and the Residences at Orange Lake (First Baptist Church) property. At the same time you only get one shot at developing these plots, so I would pledge to try to find a suitable developer.

Find the other six candidates' responses to this question at our hub article.