Recent surveys indicate that it would take more than 40 years to fully occupy existing downtown commercial property without additional construction. Surveys are needed to assess proposed facility occupancy and profitability. Political promises that government-funded development increases property tax bases and revenues downtown have not panned out. It'll continue to be a money pit without proper planning.
Private ownership is necessary to realize property tax benefits.
The government can't maintain the property sewers, parks, roads, trees, buildings it has and surely can't afford to operate and maintain a multi-story apartment building competing with the private sector. The transit center shows signs of decay, including settling sidewalks and water infiltration through the concrete walls that may undermine load-bearing capacity. The city's request for development proposals didn't consider the effect on downtown wind currents, which are horrendous at East Main Street and Martin Luther King Boulevard. The city didn't consider long-range planning for chaotic downtown uses, which range from retail groceries to office buildings. It didn't consider inadequate parking facilities.