EDA workforce housing project: A case of more money than good sense?

If a tree falls in the forest and nobody is around to hear it, does it make any sound? The EDA is a bit different. It “appears” that many (and maybe all) directors were not aware of the March 1, 2017 deadline to begin construction on the Work Force Housing project. Were they even aware that the EDA was to have a 3.5 acre parcel of land “gifted” to them if they met the deadline to break ground by a certain date?

These are not stupid people. Therefore, it seems to me that they should be able to remember something as significant as a $445,000 gift of land for the Work Force Housing project and been made aware of the need to begin construction in March 2017. Would one expect that subsequent to being advised of this gift (and its deadline), there should have been significant further discussions month-after-month regarding construction? How big? How high, who is going to build it? Can they start construction by the deadline? Once again, it sounds like almost nothing was accomplished between 2014 and the deadline date. If true, why was the lack of discussion NOT brought up from time to time by the EDA members? The only reasonable conclusion is that they did not know about the deadline or they forgot.

The reason for having minutes is to memorialize the issues discussed at a meeting and any resolution. If the minutes do not reflect anything regarding the Work Force Housing deadline, it seems apparent that there was no discussion or resolution.

The main unanswered question in my mind has to do with the seemingly positive stance of the EDA Board to continue with the WHP regardless of its cost or benefit. Why build an apartment building on a dead-end residential street in Front Royal that would cost more than $243 per square foot to construct and $1,400 per month to rent (on a break even basis)? Maybe there is some individual out there who wants to buy this project but if so, I personally believe that they have more money than good sense and I also have a bridge to sell them.

So, if the tree never fell nor did it make any noise, should the EDA go back and cut it down now and say that it happened before?

You be the judge.
By: John Costello, Front Royal.