Quarry Hills Lease: Timing
As a courtesy to our friends in the Quarry Hills Citizen Advocates, we are posting the information they recently published concerning the 50-year lease extension/expansion of Granite Links Golf Club
From Quarry Hills Citizen Advocates:
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE IN LEASE EXPIRATION BETWEEN THE 50-YEAR COMPARED TO 99-YEAR LEASE? (Hint: It’s not 49 years!)
As written in the Draft 50-Year Lease, the 50-year extension doesn’t start until the current lease ends in 2056, 32 years from now. Add 50 to 32 equals 82! That’s a long, long time!
Here is how the expiration dates compare:
Current Lease expires in 2056 (32 years from now)
Proposed 50-Year Lease expires in 2106 (82 years from now)
Proposed, then withdrawn, 99-Year Lease Expires in 2122 (99 years from now)
Because the lease start dates are different, the difference in expiration date between the 99-year and 50-year lease is only 17 years shorter, not the 49 year ‘discount’ that they might want you to believe!
Like the prior proposed 99-year lease, the proposed 50-year lease effectively grants control of public space to a single operator for an extended period. That means that we won’t get control of our parkland for another 82 years — or about three generations. That is excessive!
When a lease lasts for such a long time, it limits the flexibility that future stakeholders may need to adapt to changing community needs, environmental concerns, and economic conditions. Additionally, the perception of a "discount" in duration may not actually translate into meaningful benefits for the community, especially if it still means a prolonged absence of control over important public spaces.
The 82 year lease duration is too long, benefits a single operator for multiple generations and limits OUR ability to adapt OUR parkland to meet Quincy’s changing needs!
THAT IS NOT GOOD FOR QUINCY!
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE CURRENT LEASE EXPIRES IN 32 YEARS?
When we lease our parkland to a commercial developer or operator, they have control over it for the duration of the lease. Upon its expiration, the parkland and all improvements made to it—such as the Tavern and Crossing Nines—return to the city and, by extension, to the Quincy taxpayers. At that time, the city has several options:
Leasing to Another Operator: We have the flexibility to lease the facility to a different operator who may bring new ideas or enhancements.
Modifying the Facility: We can choose to modify the facility to add different recreational amenities that better serve the community’s needs.
Operating Ourselves: We also have the option to operate it ourselves, which would allow us to retain all profits rather than just a percentage.
The current lease expires in 2056, 32 years from now.
Letting the current lease expire is in the best interest of Quincy because it provides an opportunity for us to reassess and strategically determine the best use of our parkland and its facilities moving forward!
LET THE CURRENT LEASE EXPIRE!
CALL TO ACTION: WRITE/CALL your Councilor today:
Vote NO on Order 2024-139: Home Rule Petition-QHA 50-Year Lease
All Councillors: scampbell@quincyma.gov; nliang@quincyma.gov; dmccarthy@quincyma.gov; rcash@quincyma.gov; icain@quincyma.gov; jdevine@quincyma.gov; djminton@quincyma.gov; wharris@quincyma.gov; jmanning@quincyma.gov
