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I suppose I risk being political in starting this thread, but its one of interest to all of the SDSU family. SDSU and BOR have plans for developing a poor piece of property in the NW quad of the campus. It is the area where the Old Rodeo grounds are now located. The ground is very low, and will no doubt require a great amount of fill before anything can be constructed on this property. This movement has all the local developers up in arms, one in particular is Dennis Biefelt, a former Religion and Philosphy professor who has resources and is involved in development. A bill in question would prohibit the Board of Regents from "erecting any building or structors or leasing land for student housing development by private parties or making any lease or lease-purchase payments for any purpose" without first getting the approval of the Legislature.
Also in The Register on op page is a speak out by Professor Dennis Bielfelt. This column is not available unless one purchases the digital copy of the Register or purchases an old fashioned print copy.
Basically Biefelt made three points in opposition to BOR position and also took a shot at the Brookings County Commision for not being opposed to the plan:
First he cited declining enrollements due to on line courses, also declining residenial populations. Basically there seems to be good reason to argue against future building since the residental population will not be there to occupy these proposed facitlies.
Second he mentioned given the housing project would go on state land, any improvements would become state property when the leases are terminated. So there would be no property tax when that happens, whereas before the privately own building on state land would be assessed property tax.
Third, he raised the issue of impact on the local construction industry and also the tax consequences on for Brookings County.
These are interesting issues of which I personally dont have a position on. I do know that Rev Biefelt does offer on line courses in Lutheran Theology through a seminary that acts as alternative to training received at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. So this gentleman is not afraid of controversy. In fact he purchased, the former Sancturary of St Thomas More Roman Catholic Church which is now home to his online seminary. I wonder if the SF Diocese would have sold him this building knowing what was intended for future use.
Here is the link to the Register article;
http://www.brookingsregister.com/v2_...story_id=16798
Also in The Register on op page is a speak out by Professor Dennis Bielfelt. This column is not available unless one purchases the digital copy of the Register or purchases an old fashioned print copy.
Basically Biefelt made three points in opposition to BOR position and also took a shot at the Brookings County Commision for not being opposed to the plan:
First he cited declining enrollements due to on line courses, also declining residenial populations. Basically there seems to be good reason to argue against future building since the residental population will not be there to occupy these proposed facitlies.
Second he mentioned given the housing project would go on state land, any improvements would become state property when the leases are terminated. So there would be no property tax when that happens, whereas before the privately own building on state land would be assessed property tax.
Third, he raised the issue of impact on the local construction industry and also the tax consequences on for Brookings County.
These are interesting issues of which I personally dont have a position on. I do know that Rev Biefelt does offer on line courses in Lutheran Theology through a seminary that acts as alternative to training received at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. So this gentleman is not afraid of controversy. In fact he purchased, the former Sancturary of St Thomas More Roman Catholic Church which is now home to his online seminary. I wonder if the SF Diocese would have sold him this building knowing what was intended for future use.
Here is the link to the Register article;
http://www.brookingsregister.com/v2_...story_id=16798
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