I agree with Xoff and Sykes

Tom Daykin recently wrote an article in the local daily about a proposed development for a parcel of land in the Park East corridor. As Xoff points out, the two competing proposals are of different scale for the parcel bordering N. Old World 3rd St., N. 4th St., W. Juneau Ave. and W. McKinley Ave.

• Plan A, a $101 million development, would include a 175-room hotel, 70 condos, 55,000 square feet of offices, 31,000 square feet of retail space and a 330-car parking structure.
  
  
• Plan B, a $34 million development, would feature a 202-room hotel, a gas station/convenience store, 14,000 square feet of offices, 9,000 square feet of additional retail space and a 400-car parking structure.

The County Board appears to be leaning toward supporting the smaller Plan B, and the only reason appears to be the percentage of minority contractors hired for the work. The goal would be 37% under Plan B and 27% under Plan A. These are percentages though so the larger proposal not only provides more development for the city, but more $$$ for minority contracters:

-- 27% of Plan A's $104-million project is $28-million that would go to minority contractors.

-- 35% of Plan B's $34-million project is $11.9 million for minority firms.

Daykin's article also mentions that Plan A would produce $2.02 million in annual property tax revenue, and Plan B around $626,000 at a time when Milwaukee County is still trying to get its books in order. To echo Xoff, do the math!