Daley declines to answer questions about insider's Olympics deal (do they ever learn?)

Chicago Tribune ^ | 8-7-09 | Dan P. Blake

[STARWISE]

Mayor Richard Daley today declined to answer questions about a Tribune story on how a member of his Olympic bid team arranged to develop city-owned land near a park that would be transformed for the 2016 Summer Games, potentially positioning himself to cash in if the Games come here.

Developer Michael Scott Sr., an early member of the mayor's Olympic committee, leads a group planning a residential and commercial project on lots kitty-corner from the proposed Douglas Park sporting venues, a location where land values could jump if the city gets the Olympics.

*snip*

Daley's public schedule indicated he would only be taking questions on that topic today (which he did), but a throng of reporters showed up and asked him about Scott's project.

Daley, however, said he would only be taking questions on the city's construction plans.

"I'm sorry I can't answer questions every day. Every day, I do it enough," Daley said.

[STARWISE]

Chicago 2016 Olympics: Member of city's bid team has deal to develop land near park earmarked for the Games

Michael Scott, the city school board president, says he has done nothing improper

By Todd Lighty, David Heinzmann and Kathy Bergen
August 7, 2009

Excerpt:

A member of Mayor Richard Daley's team working to bring the Olympics to Chicago has quietly arranged to develop city-owned land near a park that would be transformed for the 2016 Summer Games, potentially positioning himself to cash in if the Games come here, a Tribune investigation has found.

Developer Michael Scott Sr., an early member of the mayor's Olympic committee, leads a group planning a residential and commercial project on lots kitty-corner from the proposed Douglas Park sporting venues, a location where land values could jump if the city gets the Olympics.

The plan -- which would include a Nike store -- already has gotten crucial support from the local alderman, who has set aside the lots for Scott and his group.

The city generally sells taxpayer-owned lots for $1 apiece for affordable housing projects, and in other cases negotiates land prices.

Scott owns Michael Scott & Associates, a real estate development and investment firm. He also serves as president of the Chicago Board of Education, and was in the news earlier this week when he said he was subpoenaed to testify before a federal grand jury looking into admissions to the city's elite public schools.

[STARWISE]

~~Chicago Way PING

[iowamark]

This whole Chicago 2016 Olympics is just a plan to stuff a trillion dollars into the pockets of Dem pols.

[Lurker]

Someone needs to start looking into the Michael Reese property. There’s someting going on there that stinks.

[hoosiermama]

Ya think?
>>>http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/bloggers/2151323/posts?page=1

[mia]

They probably bought that property and much more with the stimulus money that has gone missing in Illinois.

[STARWISE]

Wouldn’t surprise me ..