Lubbock Mayor Glen Robertson Explains Decision To Postpone LEPAA Request For Demolition [AUDIO]

On Friday's edition of Lubbock's First News, Lubbock Mayor Glen Robertson talked with Tom Collins and guest host Sondra Ziegler about the latest coming out of Lubbock city council.

There were many issues brought up at last night's city council meeting, many of them dealing with new addition to the city. Last night, the council postponed a resolution made by the Lubbock Entertainment and Performing Arts Association (LEPAA) to demolish the old DPS building to make way for a new performing arts center. Robertson said that, although he is in favor of a new, privately-funded performing arts center, the fact that no one knew how much demolition would cost kept his from passing the resolution right away.

"The problem was there was a clause in there...that [the city] will do the demolition of the building. Nobody has any heartburn with that, it's just we don't know what it's going to cost. So my problem last night was, although I support and really love the idea of a performing arts center, especially one that's being paid for with private funds and is not going to cost the taxpayers anything, I felt like that if we voted for that last night, we'd be signing a blank check."

Also at last night's meeting, the council approved an initial annexation request from Ford Development to add an additional 76 acres to the Kelsey Park neighborhood development. Robertson explained that in order to expand on the lot the company already purchased, it would have to be on Lubbock water. He added that the annexation would not cost the taxpayers any money, and that Ford Development would be responsible for all utilities. Robertson also said that, if all the homes on this lot sold, the city could be looking at around $300,000 extra in property tax revenue.

Robertson also discussed the latest developments with downtown redevelopment, LP&L and smart meters, and the ongoing feud between Victor Hernandez and Lee Ann Dumbauld.

You can listen to Mayor Glen Robertson Friday mornings at 7 AM after every city council meeting, only on NewsTalk 790 KFYO and online at KFYO.com.