Dear Friend of LORA,
The City of Salisbury is about to give away a city landmark. Should they? Did you know about this poorly planned action?
On Monday December 13th at 6pm, the City Council will consider disposal of the old Fire Station 16 in downtown Salisbury for only $100,000.
The buyers have failed to provide a clear picture of what they are going to do with this landmark structure.
LORA members have a vested interest in the future of Salisbury and its citizens. We try not to be adversarial, but we have run across this situation that we feel you should be aware of, and you may wish to take steps about the matter.
Background: The members of LORA, and a group of our customers, are opposed to the proposed disposal of Fire Station 16 in downtown Salisbury.
As a group of locally-owned restaurants, we are concerned about the plans for this site, especially since many of our customers have brought this matter to our attention and gotten us involved. We feel that all residents of Salisbury whose tax dollars paid for this property should be concerned as well.
The city is planning to sell the station to a venture group for the greatly discounted price of $100,000. The group's plan, as stated in a letter to the city council, is to create a location where events can be held to attract the public, such as shows, banquets, dinner theaters, etc. This seems to have the potential for being a boon to the city. However, according to this letter, this venture group has been using a Regional Urban Design Assistance Team study which was completed in 1980, and a HyettPalma study which was completed in 2001. Much of this information is over 30 years old. Our organization wonders how well the citizens of Salisbury are being served by using what appears to be outdated studies to make decisions for the city in 2010 and beyond.
LORA has not seen any information concerning exactly how this facility will operate or who will have a hand in the profits; however, we feel we must object when it seems that the city is practically giving away a taxpayer-owned property which we feel is an asset to our community. This asset, which is actually two separate parcels, should be retained as part of the city's historic value and in trust for the future generations. We would not like to see the city of Salisbury become involved in enabling a venture group to buy a piece of property at far below its market value in order to assist that group to create a facility designed to undercut existing businesses within the city. Unfair business competition subsidized and assisted by the city cannot be tolerated by LORA, and the concept or execution of such activity should not be tolerated by any citizen of the city.
We wonder why the city feels it has to sell the property so quickly at this point in time. Property values are currently in severe decline. Is there some sort of city fiscal emergency forcing the sale of this property? Why sell this particular piece of history, as opposed to many of the other parcels which the city currently owns? Salisbury's citizens would perhaps be better served by retaining this property until the markets stabilize and it can be sold for its true value. Additionally, we question the value of this property at $100,000. We believe the property was valued in the recent past at closer to $500,000, and possibly near $750,000 during the real estate boom. A selling price at the liquidation level of only $100,000 would be a great disservice to the citizens of Salisbury, who paid for that building with their tax dollars. So, our questions can be rephrased as, "Why so fast? Why so cheap?" LORA would like to see a current appraisal of both parcels of the property before a decision is made. The taxpayers have a vested interest in that property. LORA would also like to know why the actual owners of the building, the taxpayers, have not been asked for their vote on the matter.
This is an historic location; perhaps without the cachet of Poplar Hill Mansion, but the building still has a story to tell. LORA would like to suggest the property remain in city control and be converted to a firehouse museum, city historical site, or in the future, perhaps a part of the Eastern Shore Regional Library. It is possible that federal funding is available to enhance such a project. The venture group could still jump on board with corporate support for this type of project, which would enhance the downtown area and bring foot traffic. The convenient locations of the library and the parking garage, as well as the downtown plaza and the existing Regional Art Institute and Gallery, furthers the idea.
LORA would like the City Council to refrain from selling Fire Station 16 until further study is done on the current value of the properties. Additionally, we would recommend that a new R/UDAT be done to reflect current conditions, rather than engaging in a major decision by relying on 30-year-old information. The city has an obligation to make the best decisions possible for the future. Once this historic building is sold to a private owner, the city has lost its chance to make something truly magnificent happen. The firehouse parcels belong to the people - the public is the true owner. We also feel that this matter should be put on the agenda and decided - by the people - at the next election.
LORA is currently 20 members strong and we are growing every day. We have more than 1,500 employees plus their families that will to do what is necessary to see the firehouse stays within our community. We also have a loyal customer base, and we feel we have an obligation to make sure they are aware of what is happening in their city. We have an essential part to play in the life of this city and the surrounding county. We are notifying the council that we are requesting further study of the above mentioned points before the sale is completed and the city loses this building forever. And we would like you, the citizens of Salisbury, to join us in defending your property.
From the Members of LORA
TAKE ACTION!!
Before the city makes a decision about your property without asking your opinion, get them your thoughts. Our members will be attending this meeting. Visit council chambers at 125 N. Division St. on Monday December 13 at 6 pm for this interesting council meeting.
OR let council members know how you feel about the issue by sending an email toallcitycouncilmembers@ci.salisbury.md.us.
The one email will go to all council members individually.
Or you can speak to Mayor Jim Ireton via email at jireton@ci.salisbury.md.us
23 comments:
If the decrepit old firehouse is worth $500,000 then LORA needs to come up with the money and buy it. If they don't, it's only worth what someone else is willing to pay. Any one can say anything is worth whatever they want; until a buyer says it and a seller agrees the guess is whistling in the wind.
The decision has been made , nothing you or anyone can do about it. Lora is fighting a losing battle that has been won.
I smell a rat and most other people do as well. Please join me in boycotting what ever crooked business man ends up with the building.
I have never seen so many crooked business people in a small community this size. What is it
with you people! Wake up! I have a piece of property 30 miles off Ocean City in the Atlantic. Line up at the old Firehouse and I will sell you a plot for $10.00. This is an embarrassment to every honest paying tax payer. What a dismal bunch of uninformed people.
As some people said yesterday and as many more know there is some under-handed pocket lining things going on here. Just catch little Brad out late after a few drinks and you'll hear it from the horse's mouth. Sad part is he's happy about it.
1:08 - I'm with you, Pal. I fully support LORA on this, but I don't live in the city limits. My past experience is that the emails are trashed when they realize you can't vote in city elections.
Any other advice for supporting LORA on this?
The city of salisbury is much like the rest of the greedy country. It will fail along with all the northern cities. Smith, comegy and shields should be in jail or at least have a bounty on them.
Brad's Bar & Grille is on the way!
LORA is right.
Don't sell. Lease if you think you have to, but none of this "dollar a year" foolishness. Lease it like you mean it to pay for itself and put something in the general fund.
If the lessors can't make it in their business, the property stays in city hands and is leased to the next prospect.
And, yes, something that both attracts and benefits the public downtown is the need. Put another restaurant someplace nearby, but not in this building.
12:32--How does the City know for sure what someone else will pay? Has the property been properly marketed for sale? Find out what it is worth, put it on the market for sale or have an auction.
I remember when Wicomico County "sold" the old Willards School property to the Willards Fire Dept. The old school site is still sitting unimproved, the Fire Dept. says they are not going to build on the parcel and the eventual profit will be made by the Willards Fire Dept. I don't begrudge the Fire Dept. from making a profit, but that property should have been placed on the market or auctioned.
Annon: 1:30 I too fully support LORA. Sadly the city goverment is not listening to the masses.
Brads purple parrot bar and grill is on the way.
why does the community continue to allow a small group of people to continue to manipulate the distribution of government funds for office space in the area when those tax payer dollars should be avalable for public bid.
Now that this is out there, the Pro-Giveaway crowd will be out in force at the meeting Monday night when a piece of history is given away.
The only thing the People can do is also show up and speak against it.
The bid process was a joke. First you had Gary Comegys tell Joe Albero his money is no good with the city powers. Remember, Joe offered 250,000, so for all you Pro-Giveaway folks saying "it's only worth what somebody's wiling to pay," we know it's worth AT LEAST 250,000!!!!!
After hearing what Comegys did to Albero, was my friend going to come in with his bid knowing Comegys doesn't like him either? Who knows who else might have bid if they didn't know that the bid was rigged based on who they like and who they don't?
This isn't going to revitalize downtown any more than Gillis' other projects down there.
The city would do better to dress the old gal up and keep her. She'd draw more crowds downtown as a museum or city marketplace.
This is one of the few times I'll say government shouldn't sell off property at all. But for $100,000 -- that's just a spit in the taxpayers' eyes.
Every citizen in Salisbury should be up in arms over the sale of this property. Again the dysfunctional trio of Comegy’s, Shields (Idiot), & Smith have made another very poor decision costing Salisbury precious dollars. We all know the old fire station is worth far more in real-estate dollars and cents leaving us the tax payers holding the bag. Hide and watch I will make the prediction the city gives the property away then in less than a year will be asking for funds to build another city building. It wouldn’t surprise me one bit if Gordy isn’t involved with this venture group in some fashion.
Bill Bates
Salisbury
After reading some of these quotes doesn't it sound like smart mouth brad is busy on here? What's the matter, that napoleon complex kicking in again brad?? LOL
If Joe offered $250k and they offered $100k causing the residents to lose money it seems to me there's a court case coming!
anonymous 5:20, I'm just sitting back waiting for them to make a decision. IF they go through with this, the City won't be the only ones in a lawsuit, Comegys will be sued as well.
Even if you don't live in the city, SHOW UP!!! The masses will tell them ,WE THE PEOPLE WILL NOT TAKE THIS ANYMORE!!!!!!!
Go Joe, show those bums!!!
Thank You Joe.
from what I hear from Palmer Gillis he is NOT used to having someone question what he wants. He is throwing a fit because someone (LORA) and the taxpayers question the sale of the firehouse.
He is acting like a spoiled brat throwing around his attitude.
He might get the firehouse but what will he loose in the long run?
He will lose more than he gains!
My grapevine connection told me that it's being marketed to council as a not for profit venture, yet they intend to rent out apartments upstairs... how do you do THAT as a not-for-profit? And how do you get zoned for residential down there? But I guess they can get it zoned however they want, considering who they are. I just feel there are some ethics issues going on here. Is the fair market value of the place REALLY $100,000? If you try to get insurance for it, I bet your agent will tell you QUICK that if you want to insure it for replacement, it's going to be appraised for its true worth. The tax assessor will agree. If my rich uncle sold me a house for a dollar, the tax man will still tax it at its value - and THAT is the value that should be the selling price, not some made-up "rich uncle" number.
Suppose someone went to the council, money in hand and offered more. Wouldn't they (council) be compelled to consider the offer?
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