I don't know why Republicans are getting all worked up over the Dorothea Dix Hospital deal.

Have a heart, GOP!  Do any of you really think Gov. Bev Perdue is going to get ANYTHING named after her?  This is her best shot, barring any attempt by some Raleigh Royalty to get it named after someone like Jim Goodmon, the CEO of Capitol Broadcasting (WRAL) or former Mayor Smedes York.  Both are major backers of the deal.

On their way out the door, lame duck Democratic state leaders voted along party lines to lease the Dorothea Dix Hospital campus to the City of Raleigh for $500,000 per year for 99 years.

The state would get to lease back the office space it currently uses in the old mental institution.  (There's some obvious joke here, but I'll let it be.)

Republicans say the Democrats on the Council of State are giving away the land below market value, and the deal should wait until the new Governor and Lt. Governor are sworn-in so they can review it. 

GOP legislative leaders say they'll try to block the deal.

Republicans do have a point here. The Dix property is valued at $86 million. An annual lease of $500,000 is a bargain.

But Raleigh Royalty really REALLY want this land so they can have a "destination park."  You know, like Central Park?  And I think some folks in Central and Eastern NC are feeling a little insecure about not controlling the state power apparatus now.  So they might never get a chance again to cut one of these sweetheart deals.

So, I really can't blame Gov. Perdue for rushing the deal.  I just hope she got a rider to the agreement that it won't be called Easley Park.

That would just be insulting.