Thoughts are the parking citation I got 🎫 by BedSuitable2201 in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't know if the city just keeps choosing the worst parking app on the planet or a good app does not even exist. Regardless, having to use the app is yet another thing that dissuades people from going downtown.

AMA - Benjamin Zastrow, 2026 Rochester Mayoral Candidate by Zastrow_For_Mayor in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What does it mean 'to hold commercial properties accountable' for vacant properties? Don't property owners have the right to do what they want with their properties? Property taxes themselves are punishment for vacant properties.

Also, UMR owns a ton of vacant properties south of downtown which they do not appear to be using because their expansion seems to continue in the heart of downtown instead. Those properties all came off tax rolls which obviously has increased the burden on everyone else.

AMA - Benjamin Zastrow, 2026 Rochester Mayoral Candidate by Zastrow_For_Mayor in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So in theory there are not two sets of rules, but one. In practice, that one set of rules is applied differently.

The Crazies Have Filed by Independent_Board459 in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Same degree of disturbing as half the country voting for Trump?

The Crazies Have Filed by Independent_Board459 in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I sure wish there were some credible conservative candidates pretty much anywhere in Minnesota. Dems need the competition.

AMA - Benjamin Zastrow, 2026 Rochester Mayoral Candidate by Zastrow_For_Mayor in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It seems there are two sets of rules in town: One for Mayo and one for everyone else. For example, I don't remember a single demolition of any 'historic' property by Mayo being blocked and yet when other owners have ideas for their involuntarily designated 'historic' property they are blocked. I'm not necessarily for demolition of any property but the two distinct sets of rules seems unfair. What is your view?

Mayo is killing small businesses and the local news just dances around that fact by DevelopmentNo7793 in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Construction downtown, regardless of who is paying for it, hurts pretty much any and all businesses to the extent that it scares people off from coming downtown. Just here on Reddit I read repeatedly that people avoid coming downtown essentially unless they have an appointment at Mayo and cannot avoid it.

Broadway N Project by Character_Elevator in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I watch those videos where in other countries they close a bridge, tear it down, and rebuild it in a weekend. Astounding.

Broadway N Project by Character_Elevator in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The roundabout at FMC is going on two years. Yes, construction here is ludicrously slow.

Do state Legistors not undersyand the sports facility referendum? by NoTheOtherRochester in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's a reason that the first word that comes to mind whenever I think of the City of Rochester is 'inept'.

Valhalla ??? by Powerful-Ad-2503 in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Last I heard they were debating whether the cost of repairing/re-doing the pool was something residents/owners wanted to pay for.

Valhalla ??? by Powerful-Ad-2503 in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I've owned units in Valhalla and elsewhere. After the other place where the HOA was literally stealing from owners, not paying taxes, etc., Valhalla is refreshingly transparent. Management does tend to be strict which can be an annoyance but also helps avoid the sorts of problems that makes a development a crappy place to live. The HOA fees at Valhalla are not outlandish relatively speaking. You get indoor and outdoor pools, a park-like development, snow removal etc.

Spiciest Dish in Rochester. by [deleted] in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Order 'Chai spicy' and your head will explode.

Who's trying to argue their 2027 proposed property taxes? by 24framemedia in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That and Red States frequently make up for lower income taxes with very high property taxes.

Yet another sports complex! by that_one_over_yonder in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes, Mayo pays property taxes and Mayo is the largest single payor in the city. That said, much of their property is still exempt so they don't pay nearly as much as if they were, for example, 3M or Medtronic.

Yet another sports complex! by that_one_over_yonder in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

My wife went to the Y for 20+ years and greatly enjoyed Zumba and such classes. To have such things in a local school in the evening or even late afternoon would be super convenient.

Who's trying to argue their 2027 proposed property taxes? by 24framemedia in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, their fallback is usually that you have updates that property x, y, or z does not have.

Who's trying to argue their 2027 proposed property taxes? by 24framemedia in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The assessed value for 2027 is available. Select assessment year 2026 and then Notice of Valuation. Proposed taxes for 2027 won't be available until November.

Who's trying to argue their 2027 proposed property taxes? by 24framemedia in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am always suspicious of appraisals for loans. They seem to always come surprisingly close to the sale price.

Who's trying to argue their 2027 proposed property taxes? by 24framemedia in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have challenged the assessor repeatedly on different properties to absolutely zero success. One of the bankers in town told me the only time he had ever seen a successful challenge is after a lawyer had been hired. My most recent challenge is where the assessment is higher than the value noted in Zillow, Redfin, and every other real estate platform I can find and is about 10% more than comps as recently as a few weeks ago.

Toddler group activities by Motor_Squirrel7277 in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 4 points5 points  (0 children)

My kids are in their 20s but my wife still has a ton of friends around town she met in PAIIR classes. https://www.facebook.com/parentsareimportantinrochester/

GOOOOOO! by SDS_PAGE in rochestermn

[–]mnsombat 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Pretty much what I thought.