Look forward to a new plan for the old Salisbury Mall. So far, everything promised by Salisbury Mayor Barrie Tilghman, former Council President Mike Dunn and Councilman Gary Comegys has either been delayed or substantially altered. Expect the same when the developers finally submit a final plan - NEXT YEAR.
Yesterday the Salisbury-Wicomico Planning Commission granted a one year extension for the developers, Salisbury Mall Associates, to submit a final plan. By itself this should be no great cause for concern. Unfortunately, there were conflicting statements given to the media yesterday. In Greg Latshaw's piece in the Daily Times it was reported that the Commission granted the requested extension contingent on the project "not 'substantially' deviating from its plan for 685 residential units and 350,000 square feet of commercial space. WBOC reports that developer Jon Natelson stated that, "retail spaces could possibly be more profitable than housing there."
Continuing his record as a reporter that does his job well (even if I disagree with him at times) Latshaw was wise to place "substantially" in quotes. We have learned from past experience that the Planning Commission will deny you the right to put up a sign in a heartbeat, but seldom does it say no to a developer.
Despite the property's fairly restrictive zoning, expect to see more commercial space. Don't be surprised to see the developers come back with a plan that calls for more retail and types of retail that are not permitted under their zoning. Assuming that this occurs, we can expect to see Salisbury City Attorney Paul Wilber to make up some justification for allowing the plan. Unless another group of citizens bands together in court again the developers will get their wish. Why shouldn't they?
So far Salisbury Mall Associates have failed to meet any deadline, but there are no repercussions. They are receiving a TRIPLE SUBSIDY from the Salisbury taxpayers. Why shouldn't the developers have a perfect right to expect that they can now change their plans and still enjoy their fat subsidy? History has proven that they can do as they wish and the Tilghman administration will continue to reward them.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, politics, Salisbury politics, development, subsidy, WBOC, Daily Times, Gannett, Barrie Tilghman, Gary Comegys, Mike Dunn
Yesterday the Salisbury-Wicomico Planning Commission granted a one year extension for the developers, Salisbury Mall Associates, to submit a final plan. By itself this should be no great cause for concern. Unfortunately, there were conflicting statements given to the media yesterday. In Greg Latshaw's piece in the Daily Times it was reported that the Commission granted the requested extension contingent on the project "not 'substantially' deviating from its plan for 685 residential units and 350,000 square feet of commercial space. WBOC reports that developer Jon Natelson stated that, "retail spaces could possibly be more profitable than housing there."
Continuing his record as a reporter that does his job well (even if I disagree with him at times) Latshaw was wise to place "substantially" in quotes. We have learned from past experience that the Planning Commission will deny you the right to put up a sign in a heartbeat, but seldom does it say no to a developer.
Despite the property's fairly restrictive zoning, expect to see more commercial space. Don't be surprised to see the developers come back with a plan that calls for more retail and types of retail that are not permitted under their zoning. Assuming that this occurs, we can expect to see Salisbury City Attorney Paul Wilber to make up some justification for allowing the plan. Unless another group of citizens bands together in court again the developers will get their wish. Why shouldn't they?
So far Salisbury Mall Associates have failed to meet any deadline, but there are no repercussions. They are receiving a TRIPLE SUBSIDY from the Salisbury taxpayers. Why shouldn't the developers have a perfect right to expect that they can now change their plans and still enjoy their fat subsidy? History has proven that they can do as they wish and the Tilghman administration will continue to reward them.
cross posted at Delmarva Dealings
Technorati Tags: Maryland, Salisbury, politics, Salisbury politics, development, subsidy, WBOC, Daily Times, Gannett, Barrie Tilghman, Gary Comegys, Mike Dunn
7 comments:
LETS BE FAIR...
First, I love what your blog does for the city and area, A++++.
Considering the economic state of affairs why would any real estate developer invest millions of $$ in any market. The mall developers are being sued by HOVNANIAN builders for not having the site ready as per contract. This action is a veiled atempt of HOVANIAN homes to get out because their company is strapped with inventory and debt. Proof?... HOVANIAN company statements and their stock value (HOV) on the NYSE, 52 week high -$34.98, todays opening - $9.14. Everybody is stalled with the econemy. With no down line developer to build why would SALISBURY MALL PARTNERS invest at this time?
Granted the city (tilgman, etal) dropped the ball BIG time when the econemy was ripe BUT this is today.
A year from now Barrie Tilghman will be GONE. The new mayor, if he/she has any sense will remove every questionable appointee approved by her and her scheme team. One can only hope.
LETS BE FAIR ...
I don't care about the extension. I'm concerned that the developers will try to weasel out of a pretty restrictive zoning designation and try to put in the big box retail that they originally wanted.
My bottom line is simple. The developers have an obligation to hold up their end of the bargain. This is doubly so because the taxpayers are subsidizing them.
Shanie slinked in--she and Cathcart were clearly on a mission.
Noteworthy, though, that if their intent was to disrupt, they did not. The Dynamic Duo continued to take public comments and as always handled the overt attempt with class and poise.
Shanie and Cathcart could learn a lot from these two--actually, we can hope that is why they showed up. They are realizing that Cohen and Campbell are the true leaders and they want to emulate them. Thanks, Shanie and Lynn, for finally realizing the truth; we welcome you from the Dark Side.
Maybe they'll come to the next one too.
I agree with GA, we have to hold them to the fire! They said they'd build it and if they don't begin in a reasonable time it would seem to negate any such deal the Mayors bunch had agreed to, and it can all be therefore set aside! Makes semse to me.
A. Goetz
Anon 931 I agree with you wholeheartedly. You can't force someone into bankruptcy. If the city and/or the county was so concerned they should have bought the property themselves.
GA I also agree with your concerns of the big box retail in violation of the restricted zoning.
These guys haven't kept their word on a single thing.
Pull their TIF NOW!
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