Uptown conflicts grow – City council should delay project until we know them all
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In March of 2013 Uptown Board Chairman Kendall Miller lobbied for federal grant money for a bus project on Post Oak Blvd. His letter did not disclose his financial stake in the project.
In Mid-2014 Miller knew right of way acquisitions by Uptown would benefit his property, yet he still did not disclose.
Miller and two other Board Members revealed their potential conflict in early 2015 amidst growing questions by opponents of a plan to tear up Post Oak.
“Houston City Council needs to delay this project until taxpayers know where all the money leads, says Wayne Dolcefino President of Dolcefino Consulting. “I have heard Uptown brag about being transparent, so let us get all the cards on the table.”
An investigation by Dolcefino Consulting details several members of the Uptown Board have potential conflicts.
Take Houston Jeweler Jonathan Zadock, appointed to the Uptown Board in 2013. In March of that year Zadock argued for the federal grant money with Miller, arguing if major improvements weren’t made to Post Oak Blvd the prestigious street would lose much of its luster. Zadock called the bus plan cost effective despite the price tag.
As part of the deal, Uptown will have to spend tens of millions of dollars buying right of way from some Uptown Businessman. Jonathan Zadock controls one of those entities. In 2012 a corporation managed by Zadock bought a shopping center on Post Oak valued at more than 7 million dollars. The name of the corporation – Post Oak Right of Way LLC.
“This exposes the huge problem with Uptown. The folks on the board weren’t elected by taxpayers, even the property owners. Even if they have the purest motives, they are investing taxpayer money on deals that are good for them. What else is out there? It is time for everyone to disclose before another penny is spent!”
Houston City Council Members and the Mayor are term limited, but some members of the Uptown Board appear to be perpetually reappointed. Miller has been on the Uptown Board since 1999, 16 years.
“Property owners deserve to elect these folks, period!”
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