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| BCIC CEO Josh Mejia |
BCIC CEO Josh Mejia and BCIC Board Member Ben Neece were kind enough to meet with me this morning at the BCIC Board Room in the historic Young House, 500 East Saint Charles Street.
Mejia handed me a written response to my Public Information Request as well as packets detailing the BIG 2.0 Grants and Texas StartUp programs.
As to the huge ethical questions surrounding the $200,000 request by Mayor Trey Mendez and former city official Ramiro Gonzalez to make improvements to the Coca Cola Building, Mejia is aware of the public outcry and ethical concerns, while maintaining that the BCIC "went by the rules" in considering the application.
That $200,000 request by Mendez was later pulled from the BCIC agenda before that board's September 30 meeting.
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| Ben Neece |
Neece said he walked out of the August 26 meeting when he became aware of the Mendez and Limas requests.
What about the $200,000 award to Juan Benito Garcia and Gabriela Fernandez of Solaris Management Solutions, L.L.C. for the vacant lot at 754 East Levee Street?
That award clearly violates BIG 2.0 guidelines limiting the awards to "improve existing buildings for expansion and site activation."
Mejia and Neece had no clear cut answer for that except to show me the artist's conception above of the "medical center" Solaris plans for that block.
Clearly, Solaris' description in their grant request was misleading at best, claiming the funds were needed to "activate the upper floors or basement that are currently vacant to host a new commercial business or housing."
A vacant lot has no "upper floor or basement," but we agree it was/is "vacant."
Awardees are expected put up a 20% match as well as show sufficient financial solvency to complete the entire project.
Mejia, in response to my request, furnished me with the 2020 numbers, showing total BCIC income from their 1/4 cent share of sales tax receipts as well as other grants, plus their total overhead, including salaries, rent, maintenance and the debt service to and maintenance of the Sports Park, a burden placed upon them by the City Commission.
We will share that information in a subsequent report.
THE GREAT UNSAID: Any important in Brownsville will cost money, including pubic monies. There is too much bitching about tax money being used, but that's how most communities in this country get ahead.
ReplyDeleteYou want a better Brownsville?
It'll cost you.
We did mention in the meeting the “vacant lot” includes the Goodyear Tire Center building that is still on Levee St.
ReplyDeleteStop posting on tax-payer dime Josh…. CULO!
DeleteOut of respect for Jim. This is a public information request. It’s part of my job, “anonymous”.
DeleteBen Neece is not the guy to ask about downtown revitalization. He did nothing as commissioner other than add some street cameras. Neece failed.
ReplyDeleteLet's not let him forget it!
Trey Mendez is going to get his BCIC money. His idea is a good one and the only thing he's doing now is repositioning himself. Two bloggers pissing in the wind won't stop him.
You read it here first!
Pinche enano culero! Resign!
ReplyDeleteFBI needs to investigate every single board member INCLUDING BEN NEECE! These assholes want to chime in now but let’s not forget they were the ones who voted in favor of these awarded funds!! I read on rrunrrun that they had awarded funds similar during 2020 as well! Ben Neece you were voted out by the people and should not be on this board or any other board but here you are! You were a huge disappointment to the city!
ReplyDeleteHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHA BEN NEECE TRYING TO POINT THE FINGER AND FORGETTING HIS MISDEEDS. HAHAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHA!!!! CORRUPTION AT ITS FINEST!!
ReplyDelete