What Was Eugene's LPC Vote Worth? $409,000
Remember the flap earlier this week about how Council Member Mathieu Eugene was opposing the creation of the Ocean on the Park Historic District because he wanted to hook up the owner of one of the twelve houses who was hoping to cash out to a developer? As we all know, Eugene cracked under a…
Remember the flap earlier this week about how Council Member Mathieu Eugene was opposing the creation of the Ocean on the Park Historic District because he wanted to hook up the owner of one of the twelve houses who was hoping to cash out to a developer? As we all know, Eugene cracked under a wave of public protest and decided to support the landmarking effort. And what about the poor owner whose backroom politicking ultimately failed? Well, with hopes of a tear-down dashed, he just slashed the asking price of his house at 189 Ocean Avenue by 26 percent from $1,599,000 to $1,190,000. Anyone care to cop to a little schadenfreude?
189 Ocean Avenue [Sotheby’s] GMAP
Ocean on the Park: Crisis Narrowly Averted [Brownstoner]
Councilman Threatens Ocean on the Park Historic District [Brownstoner]
What did Eugene give as his justification for opposing the designation? It seems like an odd position to take given that most of the homeowners were in favor of landmarking. It could, however, just have been laziness or misunderstanding on his part – he doesn’t seem like the most competent council member out there.
(Also, one minor annoying comment. The word ‘reticent’ is used wrongly in the HDC e-mail, it should be ‘reluctant’)
OK…if all this is about the misperception or miswording of the OP to suggest a bribe, I don’t think he was trying to do that.
That said, Eugene’s ethics are in question, even without an actual bribe.
I certainly questioned why Eugene would support the interests of one owner over a group of others. I still question it- how did his position jibe with his constituency?
i read the headline the same way. mr. b, you should edit it so it isn’t suggestive of a bribe.
As per Slopefarm, we definitely did not mean to suggest that money had changed hands or even been offered, just that the change in his position led to a price drop of $409,000.
what- you’re the one who always screams about gentrifyiers taking over the neighborhoods. Here is yet another prime example of people keeping their neighborhood the way they want it. I’m surprised you aren’t cheering for them. Instead you’re advocating special favors for one person who cares nothing about the neighborhood or his neighbors. But what can I expect from a rabid antisemite? I guess I shoould be flattered that you seem to think only us Jews are smart enough to be lawyers – call when you need us. We’ll give you a discount.
benson- that homeowner was totally unrealistic- in fact the nightmare scenario already did happen. His house is next to an empty lot. The original building was torn down by a developer and now still sits empty. The protesting homeowner believes his house’s value has gone down because of that so he believes that the only way to get big money is for the entire row to sell out to developers. This isn’t about freedom or democracy or property rights- its about greed. And landmarking improves RE values- fedders buildings don’t. The other homeowners are protecting their own interests- as is their right.
I really don’t understand what was wrong with brownstoner’s discussion of the issues. He’s for preservation, against shoddy development and this whole situation stunk of aan “inside deal.”
The masses prevailed and although I don’t always agree with that scenario, in this case I do. Why should Eugene throw a wrench in the works of what people were hoping for becasue one Asshat wants to make a killing on a propertyy. I think Eugene should be investigated on this.
What, I think Mr. B answered your question at 10:57. The thread’s title is misleading — could be read to suggest Eugene was receiving that much in exchange for a vote. Mr. B actually seems to be saying that Eugene’s vote was worth $409k in property value to the homeowner. Other than a misread of the headline, I don’t see that Mr. B is suggesting money changed hands in exchange for Eugene’s vote. That Eugene changed his mind suggests that it did not. But I think I initially read the headline the same way as you.
Ass kicked? Don’t think so…