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As the old mall comes crashing down, the owners are in a major jam when it comes to the critical developer backing out of the deal. That being said, what's to be done with it? Should the Council pull the TIF? Can the Council pull the TIF?
I have some ideas for the property. First and foremost, relocate the Zoo there. Relocate and replace the Civic Center. If the City and County want to relocate, this would be a perfect location for them to do so. Relocate the Sheriff's Department there as well.
One other major idea I have for that location is, SLOTS! That's right. Why the hell would you want to have SLOTS in Ocean Downs. If you had a central location like this one you could gain traffic from Virginia, Delaware, west of Salisbury and Ocean City. It's a perfect location for a business like that and it would bring tons of economic & development to the area.
Look, SLOTS are coming, there's no changing that now. I say the City/County needs to get their horse into this race and start jockeying for a position where SLOTS are concerned. You couldn't ask for a better location!
Instead of building yet another overpriced housing development with cutesie litte stores that will just increase everyone's debt, why not use it for the new Bennett High School? As a matter of fact, if this idea had been brought to the fore years ago, maybe the building could have been repaired/remodeled.
ReplyDeleteThis area also could have doubled for a youth rec center with a library "substation", pool, hockey rink, and other amenities. There would be plenty of class space, and the Board of Education wouldn't need to spend x-million dollars to build a NEW school. Why can't these selfish, money-grubbing developers give back to the community. We sure as hell have been taking it up the backside for years from them.
That's an interesting thought as well!
ReplyDeleteThink about this Folks. Have ANY of you received what YOU wanted in the past 4 years?
After all, YOU are the taxpayers. Are you pleased with a $10,000,000.00 Fire Station and then their wanting a new $800,000.00 Boat?
Are you please with the Salisbury Zoo, wanting to rebuild in a flood plane zone where animals will surely die and they want $36,000,000.00 to do so?
I could go on and on. The point here is, who is in Office that are listening to the Taxpayers wants and needs.
My guess is, IF the Sheriffs Department asked for a new building, I'd bet you dollar for dollar the Taxpayers would immediately agree to such because Mike Lewis would never be the type to just ask for something just because they wanted it. IMO, the Sheriffs Department is so far behind the City of Salisbury, building wise and technology wise, who's kidding who? If ANYONE deserved that technology and could put it to better use, it's the Sheriffs Department.
Then there's the Civic Center. Again, I'd bet good money that if everyone realized the amount of money that could be raised by serving BEER there, that place would pay for itself in no time and it would stop being a financial burden on the taxpayers.
Build a new one and they will come. Bring in a Professional Hockey Team while you're at it! The potential is here, it's simply a matter of taking advantage of what the people want.
As much as the OC folks are moaning about slots at Ocean Downs, you can bet (no pun intended) they would really start to scream if they were shifted to Salisbury (or the Hyatt in Cambridge). They will make OC a true year round bonanza for the business interests there.
ReplyDeleteI say tear down Fire Station 1 on Beaglin Park Dr and put up a Twin Firehouse on the old mall lot. At least they wouldn't have to worry about it sinking and stinking like the one on the west side!
ReplyDeleteRespectfully,
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The post office really should go there. The parking at the rt 50 location is horrible. Theres plenty of room to have a distribution center there so the all the mail won't get lost in Easton.
ReplyDelete