'Say No to Bass Pro' Activists Speak Up at Commissioners' Meeting
Hillsborough County Commissioners heard from speakers concerned about a deal that would bring Bass Pro Shops to Brandon. If the deal falls through, would Pasco be considered, as one newspaper reported?
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At its Feb. 6 meeting, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners heard from speakers concerned that the deal under which a Bass Pro Shops would open in Brandon is too much of a good thing for too big of a national corporation.
A report posted by Tampa Bay Times notes that speakers wearing stickers reading, "Say No to Bass Pro" spoke against using tax funds to fund a road proposal that would pave the way for the Bass Pro Shops store in the complex known as the Esturay, at Falkenburg Road and Causeway Boulevard.
The Feb. 6 meeting marked the first of two such public hearings concerning a change to a development agreement that would affect the construction of the large retail complex.
No action was taken at Wednesday's meeting.
The second hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 12.
Opponents at the meeting noted there is a hotline for residents to register complaints (813-436-4000).
Tampa Bay Times reports that at the Feb. 6 meeting, Commissioner Ken Hagan said he knew Bass Pro Shops officials have looked at location in Pasco County, "including the Shops of Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel" and that he "believes a store could end up there if things fall through in Hillsborough.
The report noted that a Bass Pro representative declined to confirm Hagan's report but noted that it is not uncommon for the company to be approached in such a manner when its interests are focused on a certain area.
Palm Beach developer David Verardo is behind the proposed 150-acre retail complex west of the Westfield Brandon shopping center and east of The Crossing church, near the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway. Hagan confirmed last year that Bass Pro Shops had an interest in the complex.
At issue now is the use of more than $8 million in taxpayer-funded incentives to secure a 140,000-square-foot Bass Pro Shop in Brandon. The money would be used to build and improve roads around the proposed store’s location.
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Elizabeth Belcher
5:00 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
When I learned about the give away of taxmoneyer to Bass Pro Shop, I e-mailed all the Chambers of Commerce within Hillsborough County along with the main office. Not a word from any of the chambers. Isn't that what Chambers are supposed to do? Support and promote local businesses. Bass Pro is headquartered in Missourit.
J
7:28 pm on Thursday, February 7, 2013
you have the wrong Brandon, this is Brandon Fl.
George
8:20 pm on Friday, February 8, 2013
Commissioner Hagan is trying to sell the giveaway so he can claim in his next political race that he's brought business to Hillsborough. The fact of the matter is that Bass Pro had done extensive analysis and has targeted Brandon as their next site. As any major retailer would do, they're trying to squeeze whatever they can get from the local government. And Hagan being as naive as he is, will accept what every they say as fact. As a matter of record, Bass Pro studied sites in both counties. They met with Pasco County and tried to negotiate a giveaway from them if they would open a store in the Wiregrass Mall. Pasco would not offer a subsidy. Brandon is the preferred site. Hagan was an easy mark and would do anything to take credit for closing the deal. Bass Pro will come to Brandon even if there is no giveaway. Hagan is making it sound like a critical path item and Bass Pro joins him in promoting the charade. They are partners in crime. The public isn't that stupid, thank God.