The biggest challenge in a divorce is arriving at a fair division of assets.
The shoddy law firm – aka the Florida Legislature – that handled the extremely messy divorce involuntarily separating The City of Gainesville from its wholly owned public utility, didn’t bother to get into the weeds on asset reallocation…or much else for that matter.
That figures to be a problem for both the City and GRU going forward.
Case in point: GRU is demolishing derelict buildings on the utility’s old downtown compound, known as the Power District.
That’s a good thing. The buildings and the property they sit on have served no valid public purpose for decades.
So knock ‘em down and good riddance.
But what then?
The property may be a mess now, but it also happens to be strategically located, and potentially valuable, real estate.
It’s right across the street from GNV’s popular Depot Park, and next door to the South Main Station entertainment complex.
Aside from leveling buildings, GRU wants to sell the land. And that’s also a good thing.
The City has tried several times over the years to market the Power District for its economic development potential in a part of Gainesville that sorely needs new jobs and businesses.
None of those efforts came to fruition.
So what’s changed? Time.
Since the construction of Depot Park and the reengineering of South Main St. and Depot Ave. more and more businesses and attractions have come to the area.
First Mag brewery, Heartwood Soundstage, The Cade. A climbing gym, bookstore, art gallery, several restaurants.
In short, there is reason to expect that Main and Depot will become a magnet for new business and residential opportunities going forward.
And the Power District is strategically positioned to be ground zero for that new economic growth.
According to news reports, GRU director Ed Belarski said GRU wants to sell Power District land “rather than pursue a partnership” with the City to decide its future.
But here’s the rub.
While GRU can demolish the buildings, the land on which they sit almost certainly cannot be sold without the City’s consent.
“I don’t think they can legally sell the land,” says GNV Mayor Harvey Ward. “They don’t have the title. The City of Gainesville owns the property.”
Which brings us back to that very messy divorce.
If GRU tries to sell the land without City consent, the result will almost certainly be more litigation. For the City to remain silent would set a dangerous precedent that could open the door to future unrestricted utility land sales.
There has already been much litigation filed over this forced divorce. Yet another one would only guarantee that months, maybe years, would pass before a resolution is reached.
Still, the question remains: Why wouldn’t GRU enter into a formal partnership with the City to jointly determine the Power District’s future?
Maybe for the same reason that some ex-couples can’t stand to be in the same room with each other following a particularly messy and bitter divorce.
Having been fired by the City Commission, and rejected by City voters in his subsequent race for mayor, Belarski may not be inclined to sit down and make nice with his ex.
Perhaps more to the point – and in the interest of fence mending – why wouldn’t GRU Authority members instruct their manager to cooperate with the City on this matter?
After all, doing so would benefit ratepayers and taxpayers alike.
Perhaps just this once the estranged parties might manage to put aside their animosities and work together for the common good.
