St. Catherine’s project moves forward

On Monday, the city announced the launch of the long-anticipated St. Catherine’s hospital/apartment project, an effort to resolve a problem that has lingered for fifteen years and, arguably, a half-century. If anyone missed Tuesday’s Gazette, the project takes the form of a complex public-private partnership involving multiple layers of loans, guarantees, and intricate paper exercises designed to bring the long-vacant property back into productive use.

First, congratulations are in order. It would be difficult, and perhaps unfair, to attempt to assign credit with precision. Between Charlie and Amanda at the EDC, Mayor Taylor, the council and both Nates, the city is finally seeing traction on what has long seemed intractable. For that, the community should be grateful.

Mr. Schneider has been quick to emphasize that no city funds are being used directly for the project and has expressed understandable frustration with commentators in less deliberative corners of the internet who struggle to grasp that distinction. We can assure him that Gazette readers understand the project has been structured to avoid a direct draw on city tax revenues, or at least not at a level that would trigger additional local taxes.

“Direct,” however, is the operative word. Even the most carefully structured arrangement of this magnitude inevitably consumes a considerable number of staff hours and administrative resources, both now and into the future.

It should also be noted that McCook Gazette readers, in particular, understand that state and federal grant programs are also funded by taxpayers.

That said, the overall effort to move the project forward while minimizing the economic impact on local coffers is acknowledged and appreciated.

Do questions and concerns remain? Of course, they do, and they will be raised in the appropriate forums. Municipal involvement in housing, whether direct or through a paper entity, is always a complicated proposition.

Given a fifteen-year history without success, it is difficult to argue that the private sector has not been given ample opportunity to address the problem. Still, public ownership of what might otherwise be a private enterprise warrants careful scrutiny. The city should be clear about whether, and how quickly, it intends to step aside and allow private ownership to take over once the project is stabilized.

Questions also remain about the nature of subsidized housing, which will necessarily be part of this project. What pressures will a new supply of low-income rental units put on the rates of existing rental property owners? The long-term impacts of low-income housing in the West Fourth Street/Circle Drive neighborhood also deserves thoughtful reflection.

Some citizens will understandably raise eyebrows at the notion of purchasing the property for $220,000, investing up to $15 million, and then selling it back for the same amount. There will be a few who object simply because someone else may make money on the deal. We do not share that reflex, but we will continue to watch closely for leakage of public funds and for transparency about who ultimately benefits. We will also pay attention to whether local contractors have an opportunity to participate.

Finally, there is a concern that may sound trivial at a distance, but terrifying if living nearby. Serious rodent mitigation should precede the first swing of a sledgehammer. Buildings of that age and size have unseen occupants, and neighbors deserve protection.

Again, congratulations to all involved for making real progress on a problem that has vexed McCook for more than a decade. This project and several other initiatives now underway are evidence of a genuinely positive era—marked by resolve, momentum and a willingness to confront long-standing challenges head-on.