The City of Fishers often uses these words as our vision:
Vibrant
Smart
Sustainable
Sense of Community
Quality of life
Jobs
Entrepreneurial
Without any doubt, these are the goals for a better quality of life. However, it costs money and means more density. Density is all the rage these days and seen as the key to improving productivity and driving economic growth. Some studies say once the population reaches 250 per square mile, any increase in density results in higher per capita costs for public safety. Tearing down perfectly good neighborhoods to achieve the goal is not the problem. The problem is we are destroying the most efficient way to grow - capitalism. More socialism will only create more conflicts and problems.
Samm Quinn's IBJ June 7, 2019, "Developer buying homes in Fishers neighborhood for a new project" writes The Hageman Group wants The City of Fishers to buy the homes. Yes, Fishers could purchase a perfectly good neighborhood. The end game would be a financial maneuver toward final private ownership.
The developer appears to be a very successful company and can make a nice profit without public assistance. It's a terrible economic development strategy if Fishers buys up all these homes for $4 million. It really is simple. We just don't need this deal. Let's try mixing in some capitalism when it's needed.
Capitalism is an economic system based on the private ownership of the means of production and their operation for profit.
The developer pays for the escalated Maple Dell home prices giving the incentive for residents to sell at a high price, so a new development could be built.
The greater good for all taxing authorities is served.
Spreading the new tax revenues will keep taxes rates low.
Those that would enjoy and use the new development could pay for the product they receive, and not someone who might never use it.
If The Hageman Group wants to enjoy a profit somewhere else, Fishers does not lose anything. We still have a very nice neighborhood "but for" without all those high-density pressures. I want Hagman to make a profit, and I don't oppose this potential new development. But, I also want The Hageman Group to take personal responsibility for the profit they enjoy. Look around; demand is strong in Fishers. Hagman can price its product $4 million higher.
David Giffel is a Fishers Indiana homeowner, Republican Hamilton County Delaware Township Board Member, Hamilton County Delaware 19 Republican precinct Committeeman, FCoHC Board-member, Chairman Central Indiana IoPP Chapter, entrepreneur and has over 29 years business experience in manufacturing polymer resins, compounds and plastic films.