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The Urban River II Project is called "II" because the first stage actually started in the mid 1970's with another Executive Director at the Greater Salisbury Committee, including a different Mayor in City Hall.
The 1970's group cleaned up what they used to call the East Prong which previously was an abandoned Oil Terminal area with Barges, weeds and junk. Today it is an open area along the River Walk Park, a pedestrian bridge and businesses actually started facing the river, rather than backing to it. Since then a Hotel was built as well as a residential health facility.
In the late 1990's, GSC started a process for helping in the clean up of the North Prong to help it become more of an asset to the community. In recent years, GSC put together a task force which included some 20 people representing the North Prong Property Owners, GSC Members, Community Leaders, City Government and others to look at the area, work on visioning for what everyone might see in the future, 20 years from now.
Ultimately this group went to the City in which they received State Assistance in helping develop a professional plan for the area only after input from the community. Ideas, suggestions, venting, were all a part of this meeting held in the new Fire Station Tuesday night. I've been told the company hired has a past of suggesting 99% of every project they have worked on similar to this one was pushed through for development.
Some were concerned that new Condos along the river are NOT selling. As a matter of fact, only 3 out of 42 in one building have been sold. This independent group is offering ideas but were hand picked to deliver exactly what this Mayor wants to hear, Surprise, surprise!
Only time will tell what will happen there but property owners there are hot. One of the property owners complained how he was forced to remove perfectly good storage tanks or he would lose his property to the City. He did so and then came other violations. The interesting part about his situation is, there are several other property owners in that immediate area who also have storage tanks exactly like his and theirs are still standing!
It's all about who you know!
They should call the development there, "The Money Pit."
ReplyDeleteI watch with a smile on my face as these overpriced, elitist condos sit vacant. Not one developer in this area get a clue that there is money to be made in reasonably priced housing. I am talking about houses that start in the low $100's that people might have a chance of affording.
ReplyDeleteAll that will come out of this "beautification" is less jobs by forcing businesses from that area and the working poor that live on Lake and Fitzwater Street being forced out oh the only affordable housing in the area.
Anyone planning to run against the mayor in the next election should go to this neighborhood this week and listen to what the people have to say. Let them know that someone will at least listen to their concerns.
ReplyDeleteYou hear me, vox Populi?
FF
Speaking with a recent "come here" she stated she and her husband chose to retire here from Montgomery County 5 years ago because they loved the area the way it WAS. She also stated she despises what it has become and intends to sell her home and move on once the housing market picks up again. One of her many complaints was the development along the river. Her words were "If we wanted Annapolis we would have moved there"
ReplyDeleteNice going Barrie.
What shocks and awes me is how Barrie and her bozos (Comegys, Smith and Shanie) fawn and drool over this while allowing most of the City go to pot, while increasing our taxes almost every year. It seems to me that we need a city tax cap too.
ReplyDeleteThey just like spending money like they are somebody, however in this case it doesn't result in a personal bankruptcy.
ReplyDeleteYup, one of the people managing our money can afford a new car, however may not be able to keep her home due to foreclosure. Another managing our money has personal bankruptcy while double dipping at the public trough at the same time. Perfect examples of fiscal irresponsibility.