Judge dismisses suit over Columbia Crossing development

A federal judge has dismissed a Missouri developer's lawsuit against the city of Columbia, Ill., involving the massive Columbia Crossing retail project near the Jefferson Barracks Bridge.

[Will Trowbridge]

Unfortunately we didn't really win anything. The city is still out all of their legal expenses. We can only assume Grewe will appeal thus costing the city even more money. Grewe still has options on all of the land. And the city is still faced with declining revenues and no there is absolutley no chance of significant future revenue due to all of this. So I ask all of those who feel that Columbia "WON" yesterday...what did we win?

[Watcher]

And doesn't this just reaffirm what was said all along...that the MDA was an "agreement to agree" and that all the agreements to come would put the teeth into the deal?

So the Mayor, City Staff, Original Attorney, and Original Planner didn't lie...why did we hire all the other consultants again?

[Big Dog]

Watcher wrote:

And doesn't this just reaffirm what was said all along...that the MDA was an "agreement to agree" and that all the agreements to come would put the teeth into the deal?
So the Mayor, City Staff, Original Attorney, and Original Planner didn't lie...why did we hire all the other consultants again?

You silly, silly, silly fool!! Go to the council meetings and read the minutes from the council meetings. The Mayor said it was "an agreement to agree" before the election of the U5 and shortly after the election he said it was binding. This guy changes his stories more than he changes his underwear! I have never seen a Mayor that is/was so HELL BENT ON THE CITY LOSING THE LAW SUIT. He (KEVIN HUTCHINSON) is to blame for this whole mess...and don't think the citizens havn't noticed. So...it looks like the "teeth" that would come into the deal just BIT the mayor's ass....AGAIN!!!

[Will Trowbridge]

Unfortunately this debate is once again heading towards name calling and unfounded allegations. Just a sad day all around.

[Big Dog]

Sad Day????? It's a freakin GREAT DAY!!!!!!!! If you're "sad" because the city WON the case....then you have no business represeting the city (should you ever be elected) Now that's SAD!

[Will Trowbridge]

Thats what I asked in the first place. What is so great. Nothing has changed except we have to start over with the planning for the future of the city. Grewe STILL owns the land. The city STILL has to pay the legel fees. This was always a lose/lose lawsuit. The city has WON nothing.

[Will Trowbridge]

And now according to the Independent Grewe IS planning on appeal so the legal fees will continue to mount. Please explain to me what we WON.

[Snickers]

How can a lose/lose lawsuit even exist after this turn of events. I have been following this for some time now and I think it shows how due process truly works. Didn't Terry Grewe say at a PFC meeting that he had options on some of the property in the bottoms. I only thought he owned something like 4-500 acres. I could be wrong but I think that is what he said in our strategy session we participated in. All I can say is congrats to those that won and now it is time for everyone to move on and focus on the levee situation now.
So what if we have to to start the planning process over, at least there are some sort of guidelines to follow and the future can only look better than what it was. Don't you think the city will most likely recoup the money put forth in this lawsuit down the road.....time will tell. After this decision I do not know if I will ever believe what comes out of the mouth of our mayor and his Progress group. What is Obamma saying over and over again....Change!

[Big Dog]

RIGHT ON SNICKERS!!!!!!!!
Also...maybe we should introduce a new "word" to the city council...can you say MALPRACTICE???

[Will Trowbridge]

I apologize for using the word "owned"..when I meant options. I am anxious to hear the plans the council majority have for our future

[Dupo Fan2]

Hey 'Big Dog'...you seem to be well plugged in to the 'U5'.I never had a dog in the Grewe fight,but always felt it had a negative impact on the levee certification procss.Do you have a pulse on what will happen now that the suit has been thrown out.Does the U5 intend on getting on board with the upgrades to Fish Lake Levee or will they continue their current course to let them be de-certified.The reason I ask is that time is running out.Major decisions have to be made by the end of October.Your input is appreciated.

[concerned columbian]

We need developement in the city, just not this clown who sues when he don,t get everything he wants. Columbia is the 3rd. city he has sued we don't need somebody like that.

[Hmmm]

Yes, many are curious as to the council majority's actual plan for commercial development... if there is one. Has anyone ever gotten an actual answer from them on that?

[x columbian]

They have no plan to expand the commercial tax base and given thier mindset to renege on an agreement that was signed, every commercial real estate agent and developer puts Columbia last on their list for good reason!

Most of columbia won't figure it out until they get a big ol tax increase, which will arrive in teh next 3 years ..

It's mind boggling that Mr Unnerstall can move in to columbia (in a all vinyl home by the way) and in less than 10 years of moving to columbia can become one of the most divisive people in the history of the town..

[Just passing thru]

I think the Columbia Council should be appointed for life. As a former citizen of Columbia and now Waterloo they can keep shifting all of that tax revenue to us. You watch, in 10 years it will be so expensive to live in Columbia people won't be able to afford to live there.

[x columbian]

I believe they have shifted more to Dupo with all the industry they lost out to them..
I think the citizens will follow the tax increases with a change in their voting as they become more educated on why the increases are happening vs believing what they hear..

[mel]

Taxes here are still not as bad as many, many places

[thems3]

columbia is retarded...i hope they go bankrupt

[x columbian]

I do believe they are working on it and the Unnerperforming 5 are a big reason why the finances are dwindling quickly.

[move]

can we move on?