The $1,500,000.00 Civic Center Parking Lot?

AJ,

I'm sorry your schedule prohibited our meeting. I hope the following provides the information you're seeking:

Questions from Allen Perdue
Besides the outrageous asking price for this run down parking area how much more is going to be needed from the Tax Payer for the County to make this land a feasible parking area?
100% of the purchase price will be paid from Maryland’s Program Open Space fund; The grant and the appraisals were approved by the State Board of Public Works last March. The purchase price was determined by two independent appraisals

I ask this because the drainage system may not be up to date for the watershed to pass standard requirements?
The parking lot was designed by Parker and Assoc. and is compliment with new storm water management laws to be enacted in 2 months. The property will yield 500 parking spaces, thereby increasing our onsite parking by over 50%

There is no lighting which needs to be replaced / updated.
What is this cost? This area will have to be repaved. The present blacktop is in terrible condition and will be a mistake to resurface over the old. The base will have to be reconditioned after removing the old blacktop and before this area is resurfaced with new blacktop.

The parking lot was designed to include storm water management measures, re-paving and new lights. The estimate is $1,100,000. $720,000 will be paid from Maryland’s Program Open Space fund. The grant was approved by the State Board of Public Works last May. The balance will come from general obligation bonds to be paid by Wicomico County.

Are these concerns being addressed in the appraisal that is being used and deducted from the asking price? If not why?
The appraised value is the value of the property’s best and highest use… commercial or residential.

You (Rick) say the appraisals were done some time ago. If that is so why has there not been a more recent appraisal done by the State, in which the State Highway Administration conducts not a Realtors?
Four reasons:
· By law POS projects require independent appraisals performed by certified MAI appraiser.
· Because the State’s paying the bill and accepted the current appraisals
· There are no recent comparable sales
· The owners don’t have to sell and accepted this value;
· The state may withdraw the POS grant to fund its deficit and taking more time exposes Wicomico taxpayers to this risk

As for as charging for the usage of the area for parking, what is the legality of being charged when it is not being used without a written contract or is there a contract which is not being revealed?
· Unless purchased by the county, this is private property and the county has no right to use without express permission. The landowner has every right to require whatever rent they deem appropriate or deny us usage altogether absent agreement.

Who made such an agreement and on who's authority since this would be considered a County expense? Does the individual have the legal authority for this type of decision/agreement?
There is no agreement…but absent a purchase the owner will require rent or deny us use of the property.

What account is this expense being withdrawn from?
The land purchase and parking lot development payment tactics were previously addressed.

Who sets the cost for this parking area usage and is the cost comparable to other parking cost in Salisbury?
County elected officials… the Executive and County Council...IF the County purchases this property.

Gary W. Mackes, Director Wicomico Recreation, Parks & Tourism Wicomico Youth & Civic Center 500 Glen Avenue Salisbury, MD 21804 (410)548-4900, ext. 106 gmackes@wicomicocounty.org