NoRenSquare.com

Good morning All. There finally seems to be some clarity to this RenSquare debacle. The drama and theater that is transpiring as I write this is better than the proposed PAC. All of this will come to an abrupt end, for better or worse, by July 17th…I hope. I attended yet another dog and pony show yesterday. The RenSquare team gave us the usual updates on how deep our losses are, and a timetable was released. The computer generated picture of how their plan will look at Main and Clinton was, well, nothing. A very large blank space. In the picture it wasn’t “green”, rather it looked like a bomb went off and left nothing.

It appears that the RenSquare team will ask the Rochester City Council for approval to take all the necessary property for the project by eminent domain on July 14th. They also said that the RGRTA will release their findings from the public hearing on July 15th. Both my attorney and the Rochester City Attorney, Tom Richards, lodged legal objections to the RGRTA’s ability to bring a condemnation hearing in the first place without PRIOR approval from the city council. The battleground has been set. I pray that our City Council realizes the power that they wield here, and they truly listen to all the facts surrounding this project. I have also been promised the opportunity to present to City Council. Once that happens, I will abide by whatever decision they make. After all, it would be foolish and wasteful to fight the City. They do, in fact, have the power where the RGRTA does not. This is simply due to the differences between a public authority and a municipality. My focus in the presentation to the Council will be facts, and finances. There will be no politicking, no posturing, no deceptions, just the facts.

I cannot understand why there is no talk of these still unchanged abysmal numbers. My focus has always been on the fact that this proposed project loses a minimum of $5,000,000 a year. That new debt would go to the tax payers. There is no reason to remove this huge three block area of what should be and could be, prime income producing properties for the City. Remember that we would lose all this income, and potential income FOREVER. Forever is a long time. This is worse than irresponsible, this is damaging. We cannot afford any more mistakes of this magnitude.

Recently I gave an interview to City Newspaper. I spoke with a very young man named Jeremy for over two hours. The majority of our conversation was about my family history with the building, and my reasons for opposing this with such passion. In my passion and enthusiasm, I used some salty language. I apparently ruffled his feathers a bit. I apologize, and I hope it didn’t cause any permanent damage for him. I went into great detail trying to educate him to the history of this project, and the huge potential loss in revenue for an over burdened city. Apparently he didn’t get it. I was hoping he might ask some of the questions that beg to be asked, but no one in our media has the balls to ask. Frankly, I had high hopes for this interview because of their “underground” reputation. Perhaps, once educated with the real facts, this might be the one that skewers them with the hard questions. Nope. They are underground enough to publish my F Bomb, but they are disappointing like all the rest. The article they published totally missed the mark. Fortunately for me, when I went to the website to leave a comment, there was only one comment there. I went to the Maggie interview from the front page, and there was only one comment there as well. Now I understand why the City Newspaper is free. I was worried that a great number of people might get the wrong ideas from their article. I am relieved to find out otherwise. One of the two comments left, was from my good friend Harry Davis. So, hopefully, not much damage is done. When I have my presentation to City Council I urge all of you who follow this blog to show up. That way you will get the real deal, and make your voices heard as well by your presence. I will update with the day and time of my meeting with the Council as soon as I get confirmation.

City Council now has all the power and responsibility for the future of this city. I cannot stress this enough. Maggie has said that without the Council’s approval, the project cannot move forward. Contact your Councilperson now.

Talk soon.
Neil

UPDATE: We’ve received some emails from people complaining that City Newspaper’s website is the only news source in Rochester that forces pre-screening / moderation of their comments section, so this could explain the lack of comments on all of their articles. It’s got to be pretty easy for them to avoid being held accountable when they can simply censor any negative comments. We’ve asked those who already emailed us about this to send us any of their comments that are censored by City Newspaper and we’ll post them here instead. If you get censored by City Newspaper, send your comments to contact@norensquare.com

Good Morning All,

After yesterdays announcement, including the parade of business stars, we finally have them acknowledging that my objection, and the point of law we used, is solid. The D&C said yesterday that if they [RenSquare Team] did not gain City Council approval in July, the plan for RenSquare will be scrapped. Ding, Dong, the witch will soon be dead!! Interestingly, Mike Powerless, is no longer barking at me, and saying…”we will acquire and tear down Bauman’s property”. If I was Mike, I would be circulating my resume. So should Maggie and the rest of her team.

We now have our strategy in front of us. I have seen a lot of people following me on Twitter. I am hopeful that most of them support my plan for downtown. We need to start calling the City Council NOW. This is our opportunity to expose this project for what it is. I need help. I cannot do this on my own. If the D&C is accurate, Maggie should be finished. I have been promised an opportunity to present to the Council by Dana Miller. I am very confident that I will be able to gain their support once they know the REAL FACTS about this project. The best part of all this has to be their failed, and mismanaged condemnation proceeding. If that didn’t cost us taxpayers so much money, it would be laughable. Thankfully for me, they are both arrogant and stupid, which is usually a fatal flaw in the business world. These calls and letters must go out to the Council immediately. They are up for re-election. Let them know how we feel. It may be our only chance to stop this once and for all.

This experience has had a marked affect on my future. I have been contacted by some people in Washington DC over the last week. They have been trying to talk me into running for County Executive in 2011. I was really looking forward to a quiet retirement. These dealings with the County Executive and her team, coupled with the disingenuous treatment from the Mayor’s office, and the horrible mess at my corner, has made me seriously look at a run for this office. Obviously, I could do much better. My granddaughter could do better! BTW, she is only nine, but she has much better business sense than Maggie.

So, here is the deal. I will form an exploratory committee and open a bank account in the name of the committee so we can accept donations, and write checks. Reluctantly, I will change my political party from Independent to Democrat. I have studied Maggie’s 2007 campaign. It was dismal. I am sure she is very vulnerable. She ran against an unknown who was on the Family Values ticket. This person only had approx. $450,000.00 in his campaign fund, while Maggie had over $2 million. He got over 30% of the vote. What a joke! I am confident that I will kick her butt. She has a record of failure, and this debacle of RenSquare should be enough to dethrone her royal majesty, the Queen. I have been warned by some people that Maggie is ruthless, and may try character assassination to make me look bad. I am shocked! I am also prepared. In the coming weeks, I will disclose all of me character flaws publicly. I am completely lacking in the education department, as I never graduated from anything. After dealing with all these brainiacs with the fancy degrees, I am glad that we look at things differently. I will tell everyone how I was arrested for burning noxious materials in a public park [Cobbs Hill] in 1966. She will know everything about me. She is in for a big surprise! I am already looking forward to forcing her to a debate, where I can ask her some real tough questions in public. If I were her, I would start looking for another community to ruin right now. I promise I will always be truthful and transparent. I will treat the taxpayers with dignity and respect. I will not allow any projects that aren’t profitable to be put on the backs of our already overburdened taxpayers. The most important thing I offer is simply this…No More Bull Shot. I have no cronies that I owe favors to, political, or otherwise. I always do the right thing. I am much better suited for this job. I will only serve for one term. I will fix our downtown problem the right way. I will work for the people of this community, not for the people that gave me money, and want special treatment. That I promise to all.

Talk soon. Vote for Bauman in 2011!

Good Morning All,

There is interesting news to report. Phyllis Cohen has formally rejected the putrid offer for her property that was tendered by the County. Phyllis is the widow of Edwin Cohen. Eddie recently died, and Phyllis has been trying to get through this very tough time on her own. That makes Phyllis the largest private property owner on the proposed RenSquare site.

Soon, I hope that eBaum’s Real Estate Rentals LLC will become the largest private property owner. We are in final negotiations with Phyllis Cohen to purchase all of the properties on the site. That would mean, if we are able to finalize the deal, that I would own the other side of the wall on the old Edwards Building. I am also quite sure that the RGRTA does not have the requisite authority to condemn any property outside their own transportation use. That is why all the latest underhanded nonsense has been taking place under the radar.

I will hold a press conference immediately after Phyllis accepts our offer. I sincerely hope that after I control most of the Main Street site, maybe, just maybe, the Mayor will keep his word and truly give my plan the look he publicly promised almost one year ago. Between my cousin, Robert Bauman, and my sons real estate company, we will own most of the proposed site.

The plot thickens…stay tuned.

Thx,
Neil

Here’s his official quote from the press release:

I have decided to take a different course of action to make sure this project is done properly. With some of my duties at the web properties winding down, I have decided to run for office. This way I can truly make sure that this city does the best thing for everyone. This may be an excellent opportunity to accomplish several goals. First and foremost will be fixing RenSquare. Surprisingly, that will be extremely easy! Second, start treating people fairly. Seriously, let’s look for something new and different from our politicians. This too will be easy. Lastly, get rid of the people who consistently fail and then compound their incompetency with less than truthful public dealings.

I will start the search for a staff to get me up to speed on the requirements necessary. If anyone following this site has any suggestions, please contact me immediately. Could I run against her Royal Majesty The Queen? I always wanted to debate Maggie on, well, anything, but especially RenSquare. I would at least get the chance to debate with her publicly. The mere thought of that gets me very very excited. What a bloodletting that would be! Maggie almost never answers any real pertinent questions. It is constant softball. What fun this may be. I would be bored in retirement anyways.

How many of you would like to see Maggie answer, for instance, why the RGRTA waited until thirty days AFTER the vote for final design to disclose their annual operating shortfall of three million dollars??? Did they just find out? Think of the fun! Let’s run.

Hello All,

There is a lot happening right now on the RenSquare scene, but it is beneath the radar so to speak. Despite Maggie’s strong words of “we will acquire and tear down the properties at Main and Clinton”, they are just now trying to buy some of what they need outside of their failed condemnation proceeding. Here again, the County spends OUR money frivolously. They originally stated that their intention was to purchase what they needed, and if they were unsuccessful, they would then turn to condemnation. Of course, they did the exact opposite of what they said, as always, and they did it on our dime. I am greatly encouraged by their latest efforts. It shows me the RGRTA finally realizes that they do not have the requisite authority to acquire ANY properties outside of their own transportation use.

Last week they tendered a horrible offer to property owner Phyllis Cohen. They made her promise not to divulge the amount of their offer. It was so low that Phyllis was in tears and extremely upset. I spoke with her personally the same day. At the same time that this ridiculous low ball offer was made, Phyllis was “contacted” by telephone by a County Official. This County representative “talked” her into signing some type of release regarding her property and Division Street. This official drove right out to the bereaved widows house in Pittsford, and gained her signature on something. No copy of this document was left with Phyllis, and she had no clue what she signed. Fortunately for Phyllis, she received a call from her attorney Bob Feldman the same afternoon. Needless to say her attorney was stunned for several reasons, not the least of which are the obvious horrendous tactics that the County is now employing. It is a well publicized fact that both Phyllis and her recently deceased husband, Edwin Cohen, were represented by council. Yet, the County chose to tender their crappy offer to her directly. There is simply no excuse whatsoever for going directly to a bereaved widow, upset from a horrible offer, facing eviction from her home, and having her sign legal documents without her attorney present…you make the call. I have not received any offers for our parcel, yet.

One of the reasons for the County’s desperation is the law will not allow the RGRTA to acquire ANY property outside the transportation use. That means that they cannot “take” the property designated for the new MCC campus. Uh oh!! This means that Phyllis Cohen, who owns the other side of the wall of Gateway is critical to them. Without Phyllis they cannot do anything, period. So, they give her a ridiculous offer knowing her current position, and knowing that she is very vulnerable. They send out people to her home to get her to sign things that she has no clue about. They do an end around all of her lawyers. These people really suck to do business with.

But have no fear for Phyllis. The “document” that she signed without council, has allegedly been shredded. A letter was send out to the County from her lawyer officially rescinding Phyllis’s signature on any documents. I have no idea what she signed under those bad circumstances because no copy was left behind for her. We can only hope that whatever it was indeed got shredded as promised. These tactics smell of desperation. They are unethical, and unprofessional. Typical of dealing with politicians. I can’t wait until this fiasco is over.

I am eagerly awaiting the findings from the RGRTA’s public hearing regarding my objection, and the point of law that was cited by both the City attorney, and me. In the meantime, I continue my efforts to have my very very long awaited third meeting with the Mayor’s office. I am beginning to worry about the mayor and his posturing. Although he was aware of my plan in September 2008, and he reviewed my plan along with Carlos Carbollada, Tom Richards, and me, he never seems to mention this fact. He has suddenly adopted each and every component of the rendering I showed him and his team almost one year ago. He keeps saying that he “wants to open up the corner for private development”. Interestingly, in September of 2008, I formally submitted a detailed plan to him and the team. They then sent me to the MCC presidents office to share my plan with them. Both the City and MCC were seemingly impressed with my plan. They then sent me to discuss my plan with Mark Ballerstein [chief engineer for RenSquare], and LeChase Construction. Again, each and every one of them saw merit to this alternate plan. I can share with you that each and every person in those meetings did not support the cockamamie PAC. In any event, it is very puzzling why so many players have been briefed, and supportive of my alternate plan behind closed doors, but never mention me or my name in public. As a matter of fact both the Mayor and the County Executive have been much less than truthful regarding their dealings with me. I am scheduled to do an interview on Friday with City Newspaper. I will continue to fight for my rights. I have heard back from City Councilman Dana Miller. He still maintains that I will have an opportunity to present my case to the City Council. He said the budget was the primary issue right now. I can certainly understand that. I will continue to wait, and hope that he is not as disingenuous as the County, and the Mayor’s office. I sincerely hope that I didn’t go from a County frying pan into a City fire. After all, I am sure that the mayor has his favorite construction buddies and his own favorite campaign donors etc., much like Maggie does.

Talk soon.
Neil

In an email dated May 18th, Neil writes:

Dear Mr.Lightfoot,

I read your quotes in this mornings D & C. I feel compelled to write you regarding your concern for jobs associated with this project. First of all, I completely agree with you. That is not being patronizing, I really do. More important however, is the difference in the number, and permanency of these jobs. Regardless of what is built, there will be a similar number of construction jobs during the build out phase.

My plan of middle income housing and mixed use retail would provide hundreds of real permanent jobs to regular people that live in the city. The proposed PAC that would sit on Main and Clinton wouldn’t even be open until early evening. My plan promotes real lasting jobs, much needed tax revenue for the city, as well as a vibrant successful corner that truly benefits the people that live and work in the downtown area. I have heard from Dana Miller regarding an upcoming meeting of the Council. He said I would have an opportunity to address the Council. I urge you to be present at that meeting so I can discuss your concerns as well as show you my renderings.

I have reached out to Dana again to firm up the date of the meeting. I have met several members of the City Council lately, and I look forward to meeting you soon. If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me directly. If you, or any other council members would like to see my plans prior to the meeting, please let me know. I look forward to hearing from you.

Thx, Neil

To date, Neil has contacted and requested conference with several individual members of city council as well as the group as a whole, both the mayor and his office, and even challenged the spokesmodel for RenSquare Mike Powers to a debate. He has yet to receive a response from any of these parties.

Today, the D&C FINALLY (albeit briefly) covered City Council’s response to the RenSquare debacle. Here are Neil Bauman’s comments on the article:

Let the games begin!! Finally! I am very glad to have been a part of the demise of RenSquare as we knew it. Now, let City Council get familiar with the FACTS of this fiasco, and I am sure they will scrap it. The county needs the councils approval to take ANY property outside the footprint of the bus terminals actual need. Not just the City portion. If I, or any private developer, builds my project of middle income housing and retail on the proposed site of the dead and buried PAC, there will be hundreds of jobs that LAST. Not just construction jobs and back to the unemployment line. There will be staffing at all the retail stores, and more staffing needed for the housing as well. These become permanent jobs.

It also creates a positive revenue stream from property, and sales tax. Hello, Maggie…PROFIT!! Not a dirty word. It is OK to have ONE project that actually makes money. No more additional burden on the city taxpayers. They cannot afford it. Stop firing teachers and use your head.

Why doesn’t City Council and the people of Rochester demand that any proposal submitted by the County at least break even??? After 19 million dollars and ten years, they are still proposing a project that loses over 5 million dollars a year. That shortfall falls directly on the backs of the city taxpayers.

Think about that for a minute…ten years, 19 million dollars of wasted money, and still proposing a project that loses money! They should be embarrassed. In the real world, they would be fired! Not here though, they just keep piling up the losses, and we don’t seem to mind. Lunacy!

Here is the best question. Why did the RGRTA wait until AFTER the final design vote to tell the public that they were “short” 3 million dollars to operate the new bus terminal? Did they just find out? Are they just plain deceitful? All you have to do is read the public records, and you will see what thieves and liars this group really is. Call your Councilperson today and let them know how you feel.

Sadly, the responses from City Council in the D&C are too little too late. Sure, they are expressing some serious concerns over this project now, but where were they while Maggie and the county wasted the 19 million to get to this point? Is our local government really this dysfunctional? How could the county spend 10 years and 19 million on a project that city council has apparently not been involved in at all and has been seemingly against since the beginning? The vice president of city council, Bill Pritchard says he’s been against it all along, calling it “overkill in addressing our local transportation needs.” Well gee thanks Bill, can we ask why you haven’t been heavily involved in derailing this project since day 1 if you truly felt this way?

Hopefully this whole experience becomes a wakeup call for our local governments. We can’t afford to have our representatives simply wait for someone to ask their opinion before getting involved. They need to be PRO-ACTIVE, get involved with what happens in this city, and do what they were chosen to do, stand up for the taxpayers.

From a user called “GetAJobYaBum” in the D&C’s comments:

To the tune of the Beverly Hillbillies:

Well people let me tell you bout a place called Ren Square
Maggie Brooks says it’s even better than project FAIR
Folks get so frustrated they start pulling out their hair
But planners go forward cause they just don’t give a care
Politicians that is. Liars. Morons
Well the first thing you know old Duffy votes for plan
Then four years later says “Hey, hold on there man!”
Just found out that the public thinks this sucks
So now he changes tune and tries to yank the bucks!

Also, on Youtube, from City Council candidate Harry Davis:

Sent on 5/6/09:

Dear City Council Person,

I am writing this to all the members of the Rochester City Council to make absolutely sure that all of you are aware of the facts surrounding the new developments of Ren Square.  It is virtually public knowledge that the ill fated condemnation proceeding that was initiated by RGRTA is doomed.  In both my formal objection letter and Mayor Duffy’s objection letter it was duly noted that the RGRTA cannot proceed without the Rochester City  Council’s approval.  It is imperative that each and every one of you have a solid understanding of the facts.  I fear that some of the council members do not.  There will soon be a very simple decision to be made by the City Council.  Should we continue with the Ren Square plan, as proposed, which we know is a loser?  Or should we look at an alternative plan that we also know will be profitable?  I would like an opportunity to address the City Council on these issues and my alternate plans for Main and Clinton.

I have a website where I have posted all of the necessary documents surrounding Ren Square.  These documents include my objection letter to the RGRTA, the Mayor’s objection letter to the RGRTA, and the response letter from the RGRTA.  I urge you all to read these various correspondences carefully and draw your own conclusions.  I would also like to remind the Council that one other major thing has changed recently.  That is the RGRTA’s last minute admission that they will operate at a loss of several million dollars a year.  I do not understand why that disclosure came at the time that it did, but it only furthers my point that we are looking at millions and millions of dollars of lost revenue and additional tax burdens to the Rochester tax payers. I am aware that three minutes is the limit at public meetings.  It would be helpful if an exception could be made so that I have enough time to make everything clear.

I look forward to speaking with you soon.  My contact information is as follows:
email:  neilbaum@gmail.com
website:  http://norensquare.com

Thank you
Neil Bauman

From the Letter:

Mr. Bauman would like to propose that we schedule a conference…to discuss his ideas for developmental alternatives…to keep Renaissance Square moving forward.

Read the full letter here:
http://norensquare.com/richards2009-05-04.pdf