An Opinion Piece
In this month’s Mayor’s Newsletter, the need for community spaces for Jersey Village was highlighted. Most, if not all, JV residents agree with this need. However, is the cost for renovations of the purchased church property REALLY NECESSARY?
City Council is asking the citizens of Jersey Village for $21,620,000.00 to renovate a decades-old facility into a new City Hall. We need a new City Hall, but not THAT City Hall!
Is it really necessary to have 14,000 square feet of public meeting space? That’s equivalent to over 7 single family homes!
Is it really necessary to build 10 Executive size offices of 200-300 square feet? Those offices are bigger than most living rooms!
Is it really necessary to park vehicles INSIDE the building in enclosed office space? Obviously, the answer is no, plus it’s a safety issue.
Is it really necessary to use all the buildings just because you bought them? No, it’s just expanding into available space.
Is it really necessary to spend $822 per square foot on renovations, when we could buy relatively new space for $260 per square foot or build a new facility for about $400 per square foot?
Is it really necessary to add $21,620,000.00 to decades old buildings? There are many, many alternatives that Council and staff refuse to consider. For example:
- Build new. A nice building like the Community Impact, at over 13,000 square feet, carries a market value of only $3.9 million. That’s 80% less than Council is asking for, and it is more space than we need.
- At the July 22nd Council meeting, one of our councilmembers mentioned that we could buy a 23,000 square foot, 8 year old, functioning building on Dillard Drive for $6 million! That’s more, newer space for 70% less money! The rest of Council wasn’t even interested in looking at it.
It’s getting very difficult to believe what our Council and/or Administration tells us. Let me quote our former mayor: “We anticipate that the proceeds from the sale of the property south of 290 will be more than sufficient to cover the cost of purchasing the eastern portion of the Champion Forest Baptist Church campus and the anticipated renovations to the buildings.” Council just authorized selling property south of 290 for $3,844,605.60. That means we’re about $22 million short of that promise.
This is so reminiscent of the boondoggle purchase of the land South of 290, that it’s scary. It makes absolutely no sense to spend that much money on another boondoggle.
NOVEMBER ELECTION
There is a difference between WANTS and NEEDS. In November, you will vote to determine if you WANT your taxes to pay for this renovation (when the old civic center could have been renovated or rebuilt to meet the NEEDS of the city).
Next council meeting
Date: September 15, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: JV Civic Center
If you cannot attend in person, use the link below to view by livestream:
https://www.jerseyvillage.gov/177/Meeting-Livestream
The agenda:
Social Media to join and review
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Let your voice and opinion be heard!!
Attending council meetings or speaking at them may not be possible for everyone; however, your voice and concerns are important. Please use the emails below to share your thoughts, praises, and concerns with those who manage our tax dollars.
James Singleton (Mayor): [email protected]
Michelle Mitcham (Councilman Place 3, Mayor Per Tem): [email protected]
Drew Wasson (Councilman Place 1): [email protected]
Simon Hughes (Councilman Place 2): [email protected]
Connie Rossi (Councilman Place 4): [email protected]
Jennifer McCrea (Councilman Place 5): [email protected]
Austin Bleess (City Manager): [email protected]
Robert Basford (Assistant City Manager): [email protected]
