Win-Win in Carbondale?

The City of Carbondale is losing an eyesore---a local hotel owner there is getting a bundle of money…and the taxpayers are getting what we normally get—the shaft.

In a story reported by The Southern Illinoisan, the state Department of Natural Resources is writing a check to the owner of an often-flooded hotel on East Main Street for $1.5 million dollars from the state’s Flood Hazard Mitigation Program. Bet you have never heard of that fund.

Hotel Owner Neil Patel will get full appraisal value----and the city will get $500,000 to demolish the structure. It apparently was built too close to Pyles Fork Creek. The plan is to make the property into green space.

I’ve got nothing but admiration for the hotel owner. He either bought a flooded inn….or built it and found out it floods. Either way, he comes out in great shape and says he supports the plan. So does Carbondale’s city manager who says it will improve the city’s curb appeal.

Here’s what it does also….it spends state tax money….to buy and then demolish a hotel that is likely worth much less than the buy-out. City Manager Gary Williams says this is a win-win claiming it is the most economical approach for taxpayers since federal flood insurance is tax supported. This way no one else will develop the property.

Williams likes the deal because it isn’t Carbondale’s money and he gets rid of an eyesore.

Here’s what we get for $2-million dollars in state funds.

Nothing.

Almost makes you want to look around the state for dumps near creeks. Buy them for nothing---or what they are worth-----and let the state ride to the rescue with their---make that----our---checkbook.