Walnut St. Project's Double Standard

An economic development project spearheaded by former Monroe city councilman, Mike Echols, came under fierce opposition from community leaders during the Monroe City Council Tuesday, July 26, 2022. In the most recent meeting, council members wrestled with explaining the intended project and how the city would benefit. The agenda item was slated for further discussion and possible final passage at the July 12 meeting but was canceled because there were not enough council members able to attend. Before council members discussed and voted on agenda items, elections for council Chair and Vice Chair were held. District 5 Councilwoman Kema Dawson was elected as the new Chair, and District 2 Councilwoman Gretchen Ezernack was elected Vice Chair. Councilwoman Dawson replaced District 4 Councilman Corday Marshall as Council Chair. When the resolution was first introduced, it faced immediate opposition from those who support the Southside Economic Development District (SEDD) because many felt that there seemed to be a double standard shown to the SEDD organization over its proposed economic development plans. Those opposed felt that there was an issue of fairness and ethics, as the project is by Echols, a state-elected official who owns the buildings that the city has purchased. Another question that arose was what happens to the city if the project fails. There were also pleas that the project be removed from voting until some issues were addressed. Despite opposition, the resolution to enter into a cooperative endeavor agreement with the city for the project to continue was passed. During the meeting, lawyers with the development team gave a presentation of projects using the same approach used in areas nearby like Baton Rouge and Meridian, MS. The lawyers alleged that the project met all law requirements and mentioned how the developers could have gotten things in their contract that favored them but declined.

The main point of contention seemed to have been how the city went about making an agreement for the Walnut Street Project but appeared not to be the same when it came to SEDD projects and proposals. Lawyers for the project didn't address any SEDD concerns but explained the financing structure through a video presentation and reminded those in council chambers that the area in question is not generating any tax revenues for the city. That seemed to be their selling point. Former mayor Jamie Mayo was present at the meeting and spoke out in opposition to the project, saying the city is losing with crime and other issues that should be a higher priority and that the city is becoming more divided as a result. The former mayor offered that one family with $2.5 million is "unconscionable" and that concerns about ethical issues are real. One issue of ethics arose when it was revealed that Councilman Doug Harvey's wife works for Echols, revealing Harvey's vote may be a conflict of interest. Harvey quickly responded that he has nothing to hide, that anyone can view his holdings, and that it was legal for him to vote on the council issue.

SEDD Chairman Tony Little said that inequity exists between SEDD and Walnut Street, where one man will be a "city within himself" because he would become a "political subdivision" within the boundaries of the district as established by the cooperative endeavor agreement. He offered that his opposition wasn't to demonize Echols, but the dream of one city, as things now stand, would continue to create more division. Speaker after speaker in opposition brought out things like the public not being adequately notified. There was an issue of meeting minutes by the developers that council members were privy to, but the public wasn't aware of; When council members were called to vote, Councilman Marshall expressed serious reservations about the project, saying that he wasn't against the project as he had previously said. Marshall, at first, abstained but was told that unless he had an excuse explaining why he wasn't to vote, he could not abstain. Councilwoman Woods expressed similar concerns regarding the fairness issues, though she said she is also not against the project. The vote was 3-2, with Ezernack, Harvey, and Dawson voting for approval and Marshall and Woods voting no. Need another reason why voting is important or why your vote counts? Vote in every election!