WHAT'S ON YOUR MIND
By Scott Hennen
Host of “What’s On Your Mind?” Radio Show
heard on the Flag Family Network including KTGO 1090AM
in Watford City, Williston and Tioga, North Dakota
The latest outrage swirling around Fargo involves the sale of The View on University apartments to the St. Paul Newman Center. City officials and a few loud voices have suggested this was some sort of preplanned scheme tied to a tax increment financing program. The implication is deception. Collusion. A “switcheroo.”
Except there is no contractual provision preventing the sale. The TIF program did exactly what it was designed to do. It incentivized redevelopment of blighted property, spurred new construction and added significant value to the tax rolls that otherwise would not have existed. The public investment has been miniscule compared to the additional property tax revenue generated.
Now the building has been purchased by a tax exempt religious organization. Churches are tax exempt. That is not a loophole. That is the law. It is rooted in the First Amendment and the free exercise of religion. If critics have an issue with that, their argument is not with Father James Cheney. It is with the Constitution.
Father Cheney told me bluntly, “There’s no collusion, and I’m very disappointed that the city would portray us in that way.” He went further. “That is just made up lies about what happened over here.” Strong words. But imagine being publicly accused of ripping off the community when your stated mission is serving students.
The real “offense” appears to be that the Newman Center is transitioning the complex to faith based housing.
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