The Maryland Board of Public Works will hold a meeting on August 10th in Annapolis, MD at 10:00 a.m. in Statehouse Room 217, Governor's Reception room. The Public Works board have placed the facility located on 117 Bateman Street in Salisbury on the agenda - (.436 acres with one-story concrete block building) - Amount $520,000. What is interesting is that the agenda slates the acquisition as being beneficial to Worcester County even though it is located in Wicomico & the City of Salisbury.Also slated for discussion is the demolition of a wood frame structure located at 309 West College Avenue which is noted as not being suitable for college use.
It has been observed by many private and elected representatives over the course of the past few years an alarming rate that private property has been removed from the tax rolls and substituted with governmental facilities.
38 comments:
The assessment on Bateman is $97,600 so why are we paying 5x more than it is worth? John & Theresa Mertz are the current owners. Can anyone help me understand this?
Can't help you 10:08 because it doesn't make any sense. The state and local governments are broke and they still continue making these insane decisions that only hurt the taxpayers. Higher taxes and bankruptcy are in our future, sometimes I believe that is what the elected officials really want.
The old Phoenix Bar!!!! I spent many a drunken night in that hole of a bar. Those were the good old days of Salisbury State College. The tailgaiting next door was great before the football games as well.
This is the location of the old Phoenix Bar building, the one with the hole in the roof where people would urinate on the floor. It's been fixed since the Phoenix days but it's still just a simple block building on a half acre.
The owner has been trying to sell it for some time at the ludicrous price listed (see listing on loopnet). The latest pitch by the owners has been for Salisbury State University to tie it in to the other acreage they bought in the area.
If the University or the State pays any more than the tax assessment for this old piece of crap and it's little half acre chunk of dirt whoever authorizes that purchase should be investigated and fired for malfeaseance for squandering taxpayer funds. I'm stunned in this time of super tight money that the State or County is even contemplating this insanity.
Someone needs to dig deeper into this deal. The numbers make absolutely no sense. Considering the low prices that other properties in much better shape in the immediate area have been selling for lately, there is a HUGE rat in the woodpile somewhere in this deal if the State or County is really contemplating this purchase at $ 520,000 for this old POS.
It is very alarming. I've lost count on the number of buildings that have been taken over by the State university system.
I believe the Board of Public works also paid $300,000 dollars more for the Allenwood Shopping center than it was appraised for.
Instead of assessing impact fees on local residents - how about impact fees on college students. Afterall - aren't they the real culprits that are overburdening our
sewer, water, police, trash services? Where are our elected officals on this subject?
It doesn't look as though there is a lack of money around here. I thought that Maryland was suppose to have budget shortfall.
To 12:16 - I think you are onto something here. The transplants are taxing our essential services and not compensating us.
There's a huge budget crunch, but the main issue is the fact that the state or county is contemplating paying 350% to 400% of rational market value for this very modest property. Someone at the state or county level is promoting the argument that this $ 520,000 price is a good deal that needs to happen.
We need to find out specifically who that person is, and their rationale for paying $ 300,000 to $400,000 in tax payer dollars OVER the rational market price for this property. Based on current commercial real estate sold comparable properties there is no competent appraisal on the face of this planet that would appraise that property as being worth a penny more than $ 150,000 - $ 175,000 (at most) in the current 2011 market.
Somewhere, someone is guiding and pushing this deal at this insane $ 520,000 price. Who is that person?
You got it half right, 1:47; there is plenty of money around here and all across America. The only problem is that government has it, not private citizens, and they want still more.
You all are crazy. The college pumps so much money into the local economy it isn't even funny. Without SU, Salisbury would be nothing more than a rest stop on Rt. 13 and Rt. 50. SU is one of the things that makes living here worthwhile. Your complaining about SU and the students is like Ocean City local complaining about the tourists. The college, hospital, and the geographic location of a crossroads is what makes Salisbury worth anything. Maybe you try to enjoy what the college has to offer like sporting events, performances, and speakers. Not to mention educational opportunities to make your life better.
The Bd of Public Works had better hope that S&P rating agency doesn't find out about this proposed caper. If so they may downgrade some other well renowned entities.
SHORELAND FREEZERS INC sold it on 12/05/1997 for $110,000 to the current owners. It's listed as a 3440 sq ft storage warehouse on 19,000 SF of land. The assessed value by the State did go up by $300 this month to $97,600. The owners must be really sharp for knowing how to make this much profit by selling it to the State.
12:16 You should look into some other purchases by other universities
If the university--in fact, any university--wants a piece of property to add to its holdings, it will pay several times the assessed value. Hey, fellow SSC alums, when was the Phoenix Bar operating? I graduated from SSC in the early 60's. I guess the Phoenix must have been later than that.
A Facist State takes over private property incrementally in a manner which is barely noticeable. The idea is for all the property to be owned by the State eventually, and when it finally occurrs it will have been unnoticed by the general population.
To do this using "university" as cover is really quite smart. The citizens are much less likely to criticize the acquisitions because they are for the "kids" and "education".
Possibly, but to pay half a million dollars just for access to Bateman seems kind excessive by any stretch. There are other pieces of property you could acquire along that road fronting Bateman that would accomplish that for a fraction of that price.
It was there about the 74-78 era. I remember that there were frequent skurmishes breaking out at that facility as I attended Salisbury State between 74-78. The police were constantly being called-in because of ruckuses breaking out.
It is no wonder the federal government rating has been downgraded. Frankly, I wouldn't rate our government as high as it is. This is yet another classic example as to why our state & federal governments are out of kilter.
BUT 2:30 the tourists who visit Ocean City are paying room tax--4.5% payable to Worcester County and 6% payable to the state-- and also an extra restaurant tax to supplement the convention center.
To 4:55
I've got news for you, SU will eventually take out the former Superfresh facility to and acquire the shopping center also.
Joe Cacchiolli a former reporter for the Daily Times once told me I was crazy when I informed him that Dresser's acquisition was a done deal. Haliburton/Dresser could never make the kind of profit that was yielded for such a short period of time as was done with the purchase by the college/State. Remember - the real estate sale transpired while the market was at the top end of the scale. The present value of the parcel is substantially less that it was previously. This is yet another reason why Fitch - (municipal rating entity) - should downgrade SU and the whole State of Maryland.
It's now time to oust the present government in salisbury. take up arms and do it , the british are comming , to arms , to arms.
Actually it's the same everywhere. The whole country is doing the same , you wanted change , here it is!
Obama ,the puke of the world.
You can run , but you can't hide!
It's really so peaceful where I live , sorry folks.
I do have to go to the city sometimes , I hate it.
Well 6:05, there are many hotel rooms that are filled up by people in Salisbury because of the University. I'm sure Wicomico pulls in some money from hotel taxes as well (ex. Seagull Century, Homecoming, Family Weekend, and various sports teams). Just not on the scale of Ocean City. Maybe Wicomico should jack up the room tax to the maximum allowed, at least they aren't taxing locals. Many businesses exist because of the University and its students, businesses that hire local people. In fact, many of the hotels in Salisbury were probably built with the University in mind. In addition, I know many people, like me, who graduated from SU, stayed in the area, have jobs, own homes, are raising families, and paying taxes.
I agree, the price is too high for 1/2 an acre of land. The problem is the high price that the University is paying, not the taxes on a 1/2 acre of land. If not for PRMC, the University, and the Board of Education, where would anyone around here work? After that it is Perdue and Labinal for jobs. If you are young and want to stay in this area, you should think of getting into the healthcare field, or education.
4:55pm, keep an eye out for those black helicopters.
Sorry, dont post that comment, I see the Batement stret address now
I own a home with a detached 2 car garage, on 1/2 acre, and it's being lived in and the bank has its value at $105k. What on earth makes this property worth a penny more? This is a taxpayer ripoff.
2:30 pm said...You all are crazy. The college pumps so much money into the local economy it isn't even funny. Without SU, Salisbury would be nothing more than a rest stop on Rt. 13 and Rt. 50. SU is one of the things that makes living here worthwhile. Your complaining about SU and the students is like Ocean City local complaining about the tourists. The college, hospital, and the geographic location of a crossroads is what makes Salisbury worth anything. Maybe you try to enjoy what the college has to offer like sporting events, performances, and speakers. Not to mention educational opportunities to make your life better.
August 7, 2011 2:30 PM
Without SU, Salisbury would be nothing more than a rest stop on Rt. 13 and Rt. 50.
Wouldn't that be WONDERFUL?
I swear - the whole world has gone insane. $520,000 is absolutely ridiculous for this miniscule piece of land. It is no wonder our nation is underwater. May God help us all.
I noticed that Governor O'Malley says that S&P downgrade was unjustified, and blames the Tea Party.
I guess so - as his butt could be the next on the chopping block. When S&P gets word about this type of activity - they'll surely downgrade Maryland's credit worthiness.
For those who think SU is the main economic driver for Salisbury you need to re-take basic math. SU is certainly a healthy contributor to the area economy, but it is by no means the the largest economic driver for the Salisbury area.
In fact, as mid-tier demographic metro areas go, Salisbury has a fairly diversified economy.
Wanna bet they got it appraised by Bill "Big Bucks" McCain?
7:03 (Bullard Constr.), as the realtor industry's mantra goes, "Location, location, location." That building is worth nothing, but the land it's on is worth everything to the university. As we all know, an item--any item--is only worth what someone is willing to pay for it. If that little building and the land it's on can fetch a half a million, then that's what it's worth.
The college does help the local economy, but to hear 2:30 tell it they are the only game in town. Riddle me this, how does Salisbury conduct business when school is out? It's absurd to be on either fringe when weighing the college's worth to the area. It is important, but nowhere near what is being stated.
7:03, You are entirely correct, but I think this article speaks to two things, the other being the loss of tax revenue, which was around $1300 a year, should become 5x that but will go to zero.
I guess if the University can justify the half million of tax dollars spent with a firm, profit making business plan, I would have no problem with the price. Do you think we will see that?
Just look at what Delaware paid and is continuing to pay to developers up near lewis to NOT develop their property. Bunch of crooks. I wonder why that story didn't get coverage on here. hmmmmm
Anon 11:54
how is this any different than the civic center fiasco? Pollit wanted to pay 500k to 1m per acre for 2 to 3 acres...
How does this make any sense? the whole land is worth, cost and was asking for 1 to 2 mil for the whole site, yet pollit wanted to pay 2 mil for 2 acres or 2 parking spots...
Reference 8:05
According to Pollit, it is not local money that is being siphoned.
I guess Pollit's assumption is that this money can be simply pulled from thin air. Afterall - this type of activity has been going on for so long that all of the bureaucrats just assume that it is SOP - (standard operating procedure).
You find this a Waste? Wait till you find out how much the Tri-County Council is spending on their new office complex just off Walston Switch Road. INSANE. If I paid taxes in Wicomico, Somerset, or Worcester I would be ------(mad). You could ruffle some feathers with this one Joe
I know the guy selling the property and he didn't get half of what he wanted for it, he is more outraged than any of you. SU puts out brochures where they include his property as part of the campus, how much would you sell it for. I told him he should turn it into a porn store for the students. My name is Chuck Cook and I don't believe in people's right of free assembly. Vote the whig party in 2012. Vive le dullsbury.
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