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Margate Capital Projects Wish List
• How loud can Margate scream for help?
Sunday,
February 1, 2009
Submitted to the Florida League of Cities by Margate officials in December was a $27 million capital projects wish list aimed at improving Margate infrastructure. The list consists of ten items, ranging from Mart Arms and Bus Shelters to more than $15 million in wastewater upgrades, needed Royal Palm Boulevard improvements and a retaining wall for pedestrian safety on Southgate Boulevard. Jobs created number around 300.
Will it happen?
City management in Margate said they're doing everything they can to draw funds down from federal programs, including Margate’s share of Obama’s $800 billion-plus economic rescue package that cities and town’s across America desperately need to jumpstart economies.
Obama's plan, which lawmakers at the national level say they’re going to pass by mid-February, is focused on infrastructure needs and job creation. Also in the plan is a hike in social spending aimed at helping victims of the credit and housing collapse.
A main tenet of Obama’s plan is to inject state economies with billions in public works and infrastructure projects so that monies will flow both upstream and down to restaurants, retailers, healthcare, professional services, manufacturing, IT, biotech, R&D and other industries impacted by an abrupt slowdown in consumer spending.
What isn’t in the plan? Specific guidelines on how towns and cities can spend stimulus dollars, say sources at the League of Cities. This is probably why Ft. Lauderdale has $300 million earmarked for a 1,000 room luxury hotel.
How does federal stimulus money get to Margate?
Once Obama’s stimulus plan is approved by Congress, stimulus monies will start flowing to states, then secondly to counties and lastly to towns and city governments. As simple as that sounds, there are hundreds of lobbyists and interest groups standing between economic relief funds and the City of Margate, all of whom take a piece as stimulus monies pass through their hands. In fact, Margate has its own lobbyist, whose job it is to figuratively scream as loud as he can to get as much as he can for Margate taxpayers.
Needless to say, once stimulus dollars start trickling downstream, we’re all going to have to fight like hell to get a piece, especially when funds get to the Broward County level. At a recent city commission meeting, Margate officials nodded favorably to fight for stimulus support.
How can organizations like the Florida League of Cities help?
The Florida League of Cities, with their share of lobbyists and consultants at the state and national levels, have compiled a master list of capital projects submitted by member towns and cities (of which Margate is one) that is ready to go once stimulus plans are passed. Another organization, the U.S. Conference of Mayors, has submitted a similar list on behalf of 15 mayors in Broward and Palm Beach counties. Although being on either list offers no guarantee to receive funds, it's a step in the right direction for a small fish like Margate maneuvering through a sea of special interest sharks.
When stimulus funds finally do get to Broward County, it's anyone's guess how dollars and cents will be divided among municipalities. Florida League of City officials say the most qualifying denominator for cities will be to specifically justify their overall ‘need’ for the money based on short-term job creation and long-term economic benefit.
Can stimulus money positively impact Margate’s CRA plans?
Appearing in both the Florida League of Cities wish list and that of the U.S. Conference of Mayors are scant few projects aimed at private sector improvements, but similar to Ft. Lauderdale's wish for $300 million, there are a few, leaving one to think that maybe Margate’s proposed City Center project might qualify for stimulus funds. Regardless, improving Margate’s infrastructure in general would benefit City Center plans, say officials.
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