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HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-01264 Submittal 1-LetterFROM: Reverend Ralph M. Ross DMin TO: Mr. Frank Rollason Executive Director CRA DATE: November 4, 2004 RE: COMMERCIAL ( BILL -BOARD) SIGN, PROTESTATION OF This is a formal protestation of the construction of a commercial (Bill -Board) sign in the parking lot of the Jackson Soul Food Restaurant directly behind our Church facility. The reasons are as followers: 1. It was agreed upon and we were told that no construction would take place on this property adjoining our church property without prior notification. There was no notification. As a matter of fact, when the sign post was being constructed I thought it was a smoke stack and called the CRA Office only to learn from that office that it was in fact the post for the bill -board sign. This means that the CRA had prior knowledge of the construction and did not inform our church. I am Appalled. 2. About three (3) years ago our church was approached by a representative of the sign company. He indicated that they would like to construct such a sign on our property near and above the I -95 Expressway so that travelers might benefit from their advertisements. He indicated also that to install the sign would require a code change which required both our agreement and authorization to install the sign on our property. He said they would donate $500.00 dollars to the Church if we supported their effort which the church could keep even if they were not successful. We had only two requirements to secure our support. The sign had to be installed on the property near the FDOT fence and no advertisements that would have a deleterious effect on our image and posture as an institution of religion (a church of Jesus Christ ). We were guaranteed that the advertisements would not impact negatively on our church. So we agreed to support them. We were then told that if they are successful the church would receive between $20 & 30,000.00 for the lease or rental of our space. Needless to say, we were happy to hear that. About a year and a half latter we were contacted again. We were told that it seems that they will be successful but, because so much time had lapsed we needed to up date our position, which we did. - Again we were offered a $500.00 donation. We heard no more, not a single word. The next thing we heard was the noisy heavy equipment installing the sign on the parking lot of Jackson Soul Food Restaurant (Jackson). I am appalled. HOW DID THIS TAKEOVER TAKE PLACE 3. It seems to me that the CRA does not intend to do right with our Church, especially as it relates to the Jackson. When Commissioner Teele was Chairman of the County Commission, we approached the then leadership of the CRA about securing the "Barkett Building " which stood where Jackson parking lot is located. It was a very sturdy fifteen (15) apartment, three story building. We wanted to turn it into a seniors' facility. The Assistant City Manager promised to purchase the building from Mr. Barkett, bring it up to code and turn the management over to our Church if we agreed to identify the seniors and to manage the facility. The major shake up in City Hall which resulted in retirements, terminations and incarceration ended that plan. When the Commissioner was elected and took over the leadership of the CRA I informed him of that experience. He assured me that if the City had promised the building to us it is ours. The building was demolished under his leadership and replaced by the existing parking lot. Later, we were told quite casually in a meeting where we had sought his assistance in another matter that the CRA owned a goodly portion of our parking lot. You know that story. Thanks to the leadership of Mr. Frank Rollason, and the concurrence of the CRA Board, we were able to regain the property. Now a project, that could have been quite lucrative for the Church and could have relieved some of its financial woes, has been co-opted by someone who had knowledge of the plan and the position and clout to channel it through Jackson : a commissioner (or More ), an officer of the CRA (or the CRA) or the City Commission. Since the sign company had to gain authorization both for a code change and a permit to erect the sign on Jackson parking lot, somebody of the caliber previously mentioned had to both encourage and authorize the company to install the sign in direct violation with the promise made in good faith to our church. Now that unsightly structure is towering over our church like an idol god. I am appalled and protest vehemently.