Why New City Hall Makes Sense

If you are as old as I am, you probably remember Gov. Jimmy Davis’ monstrosity — his million dollar mansion! Shortly after Davis was elected and began his second term in office in 1960, he proposed building a much-needed Governor’s Mansion.
Most people agreed that it was needed but the unbelievable price tag of over $1 million created a statewide controversy in the public and in the media. People said any legislator who voted for the million dollar mansion would be defeated at the next election. But Gov. Davis went forward. The legislature approved it, and it was built. By the the time of the election, the controversy was all but forgotten because the beautiful Governor’s Mansion was already built and occupied by the governor. No one was defeated, and the opponents of the mansion were too embarrassed to mention the topic again.
Since then, our governors have had a worthy place as their residence and they have opened the doors of the mansion to all of us. Every year, hundreds of public events are held there. Since the 1960’s, many thousands of events. The Governor’s Mansion is a show place for our state and a reminder that we are worthy of nice things and can be trusted with them.
Much the same things were said about the State Capitol when Huey Long spent $3 million to build the Capitol during the depths of the Great Depression.
Can you imagine our city without that amazing Capitol building? The Capitol is one of the great symbols of our state. It is on postcards and travelogues and in history books. It is a powerful statement that Louisiana is an important place.
If you understand that, then you understand why Central’s new City Hall must be built — not delayed any longer and not cheapened into some kind of metal building worthy of South Choctaw. The reality is today Central has nothing. No public buildings, no outstanding parks or museums, no attractions of any kind. Finally, we have a wonderful School Complex, and that is the only thing we have.
As I listened to debate on the City Hall, it’s almost as though I hear people saying, “Central is not worthy of anything so grand!”
Are you kidding? Central is doing very, very well. We have the No. 2 school system in the state. We are the third wealthiest city in the state. We are running surpluses at the rate of $4 million a year and have a huge amount in the bank.
I hear a “broke” mentality speaking. But Central is not broke. You would think we are. Is anyone embarrassed that our City Hall still operates out of a rundown shopping center? At this point in our history — 13 years after incorporation — we have to have a vision for the future and present an image of success. If a big company is considering locating here and they visit our current City Hall, do you really think they will be impressed and want to invest here?
If we don’t have enough vision to invest in our future, no one else will.
I hear some people talking about Central “bursting at the seams”! Are you serious? Central hasn’t grown at all since incorporation in 2005! Our population is within 1,000 of where it was then.
Mayor Shelton often says that, as a city, “Either we are growing or we are dying!” Right now we are not growing, and if the no-growth-at-all mentality takes control, we will die.
Just look at our friends in Baker. Back in the 1990’s, they were so worried about growing that they put a moratorium on growth. Guess what? They’ve never grown since! Unfortunately, the city is a basket case and going down.
Beware the pied pipers who say “We have to solve the drainage problems first!” Seriously? Central is a low lying place between two rivers that don’t have levees. It has always flooded, and unless someone can repeal the law of gravity, flooding will always be a problem. Hundreds of millions of dollars are already in the pipeline to address the drainage problem, but there will always be a drainage problem. We could be here 100 years from now and some people would still be saying, “We have to solve the drainage problem before we build a new City Hall!”
That’s ridiculous! We should be able to walk and crew gum at the same time. There are many problems that have to addressed. No. 1 is drainage, but it IS being addressed!
The new City Hall will be a powerful symbol of the City of Central and its success! Today, Central has a great story to tell. One part of the story is the importance of good quality public schools that everyone attends. Another part of the story is the importance of law and order, an armed population ready to defend itself. Another part of the story is the success of privatization, which is what is giving us large surpluses and money in the bank.
City Hall will be a constant blessing to this city and all its citizens. It will be the center of the community. What is that worth? It will the base of a town center. What is that worth? It will give us pride in our community. What is that worth?
Of course, you realize that when we take $5 million in state and local funds and build a City Hall, we have a $5 million asset, right? Our assets are not being destroyed. This is not like a giveaway where you have $5 million and its gone. We will have a $5 million building on the balance sheet. Instead of $5 million sitting in the bank drawing a puny interest rate, that asset will sitting at the corner of Hooper and Sullivan roads, a shining symbol that Central is a success and has a great future!