Slampo tackles the Houston Pavilions topic:
In the meantime, we have questions, such as why, when there’s so much concern in the air about “affordable housing,” local governments are using tax dollars (yeah, the ones from the federal government come from taxes, too) to subsidize a development that will offer what we heard described on TV as “luxury condos” in its 12-story residential tower. (Yes, we know the canned answer: The development is supposed to be a “catalyst” for further nearby development—the usual vague and unquantifiable justification that’s tossed out when public money is funneled to splashy private projects [if a “minor emergency center” can be considered “splashy”].)
Yes, these things just take time…and plenty of (taxpayer) money. Lots and lots of both, as Mayor White tried to explain the other day.
Because hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars aren’t enough. More will be needed to spur future development (wink, wink) that will benefit…a tiny percentage of Houstonians.
