The Rio Nuevo District Board will hold a meeting today to discuss and possibly vote on an option to purchase the historic Manning House. The meeting will be held at 400 W. Congress Street, Room 158. Public comments will be heard.
The Board hopes to use the 60 day period allotted in the option agreement to find private partners for the venture.
State Senate president Steve Pierce advised Tucson City Councilman Steve Kozachik in a letter, that Greg Jernigan, the Senate’s attorney offered a clarification of the law:
“ARS Sec. 48-4204 was amended as part of the 2009 bill and it appears to be very clear and very specific, stating that TIF monies may only be spent for debt service and contract obligations incurred prior to 1/1/09, legal and admin. Costs and design and construction of the “hotel and convention center”. The statute makes it clear that TIF monies cannot be used for any other purpose “until a notice to proceed is issued for a hotel and convention center located on the multipurpose facility site”. It seems clear that the Legislature would have to amend that statutory mandate to allow TIF monies to be spent in any other way.”
Mike Irvin, a controversial Rio Nuevo Board member, holds the listing agreement for the Manning House sale according to a check of the records. He only recused himself from the discussion. He has ignored calls for his resignation due to his conflicts-of-interests.
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