THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Monday, October 21, 1996 TAG: 9610180001
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A6 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: 46 lines
Alex Marshall's unrelenting criticism of MacArthur Center's architecture, financing, leasing and other significant parts has given rise to a new approach to economic development. I call it the ``Reverse Burger King Method of Economic Development'' (RBKMED).
The system works this way: We try for years to find a highly successful business or industry interested in this area (let's be regional). And after all the courting, dining and dancing, we get a taker. Our prospect is interested! Next we get a big financial commitment: $5 million or $10 million from our new ``friend.'' But then, and here's the crux of this system, the bigger and more successful the prospect the more we question every decision.
The possibilities are endless.
Let's say a really big insurance company wants to relocate its corporate headquarters to Portsmouth or Norfolk. The company hires an architectural firm (out of town) and after much money and time presents it to the community. Since this is a really big company, it needs a really big building to house all its employees (thousands of whom will come from our local communities). Here's where this new approach really kicks in.
We, the members of the RBKMED, in chorus, say, ``You can't have it your way.''
We point out that the building is too big. It doesn't fit the small-town, run-down environment we have been so carefully protecting. To add punch to this observation, we'll have a ready group of local architects join in and suggest different schemes. For example, they could recommend that the billing department be relocated to Delaware, where they would get a tax break.
We might even suggest that our city councils don't have the legal standing to make such a commitment on behalf of the city. And while we're at it, let's file a lawsuit and raise some real doubts about the financing and anything else that could throw a monkey wrench into this production.
Hey, there's no limit to how much help we could be. And don't forget the insurance companies already here. They can carp about the unfair competition. That'll give our prospect assurance that we take care of our own here in good old Backwater. And since repetition is the essence of all successful rhetoric, we'll go on and on and on and on.
Boy, I can't wait for the next prospect. Maybe it will be a professional sports team. I've always wanted to coach.
J. DANIEL BALLARD
Norfolk, Oct. 15, 1996 by CNB