Auburn City Councilor Bob Mennealy scored a victory Monday night, although it might be difficult for the outspoken populist to recognize.
Mennealy has led a crusade to undo a vote taken last year to issue $5 million in bonds to build a new parking garage downtown. Monday night, Mennealy, Councilor Donna Lyons Rowell and Councilor Belinda Gerry got the opportunity to make their case and vote. He also has put pressure on the city for a more open and deliberative process, increasing accountability.
The three lost, and plans for the parking garage will go forward. The winning coalition of Councilors Robert Hayes, Bethel Shields, Eric Samson and Kelly Matzen voted against the idea of de-authorizing the bonds.
The night left a sour taste in Mennealy’s mouth – observers report he was upset about the outcome of the vote – but he should be pleased that he had the opportunity to marshal support and have a go at changing the garage policy.
Auburn has charted an aggressive path on downtown development and made a commitment to build the garage, which will serve existing needs and the requirements of proposed buildings in the area by Tom Platz’s TIM Corp. The new 320-space garage, which also has the potential to be expanded, is an important part of that plan.
Mennealy made a strong argument and raised awareness about the optimistic assumptions the city has made about future growth, but ultimately the four councilors voting to move forward were right.
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