Lubbock Mayor: ‘It’s Not the Government’s Job to Get Into the Commercial Real Estate Business’

Lubbock Mayor Glen Robertson stopped by the KFYO studio Friday morning after a Lubbock City Council meeting to visit with Lubbock's First News' Tom Collins and Laura Mac.

The council voted 6-0 to approve the first reading of an ordinance that would allow mobile food vendors to operate on a daily basis in the city.

Food truck operators would pay a $250 annual permit fee, as well as face regular health and environmental inspections. The ordinance will also require trucks to operate more than 200 feet from brick-and-mortar restaurants

According to Robertson, food trucks are currently allowed to operate in the city but are under very stringent restrictions. The new ordinance will allow them to have access to public right-of-way.

The council also voted 5-1 to purchase the Omni Building, located at the corner of 14th Street and Avenue K,  for a price of $1.2 million. Robertson cast the lone dissenting vote. Councilman, while Jim Gerlt was absent form the meeting.

Robertson said the purchase could be completed as soon as next week. He clarified why he was opposed to the purchase.

"We don't have a plan as what to do with the building," he said. "I don't think it is government's job to get into the commercial real estate business and go buy buildings on speculation as to what we are going to do with them."

"I will say council voted to do it and I'm part of council so now I'm going to get on board with solving this issue," Robertson added.

The building will have to be re-purposed rather than be sold or torn down, he said. Tearing down the building would cost about $12 million.

Robertson also said that there just isn't a market for the building, which has been for sale for 15 years.

Robertson said the building has been deemed as structurally sound and could be used either as a new City Hall or as a new Lubbock Police Station.

According to Robertson, turning the building into City Hall offices would cost between $33 and $36 million, while turning it into a police station would cost in the neighborhood of $45 million.

He estimates a brand new Police station would cost approximately $65million not counting  land acquisition cost.

To hear all of Robertson's interview click here: