For the last four years, the new Cambria Hotel along the waterfront at 1st Street has steadily risen from the ground on the site of the old Cropper Concrete plant just north of the bridge. Through the spring, finishing touches were put on the new hotel and it appeared the facility was headed toward an opening at some point early in the 2020 season.
However, as a condition of the zoning amendment that allowed for the development of a hotel on an old industrially-zoned parcel and as a condition of the site plan approval for the project, the developer agreed to convey a 10-foot wide public access easement along the bayside of the property and contribute $165,000 toward the continued development of a bayside boardwalk in that area. In short, the developer, Ocean Hospitality I, would pay $165,000 toward the bayside boardwalk, long a desire of the town of Ocean City to connect commercial properties along the waterfront in that area.
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This is the equivalent of being thrown into debtors' prison. It's wrong, especially considering the times we're in.
ReplyDeleteCurrent circumstances are not bringing sufficient revenue to the hotel to pay the fee. OC government should authorize a delay and issue the occupancy certificate.
Good!
ReplyDelete$165K is like pissing in the ocean after all of the $$$$$.
They're trying to screw US citizens on the deal, Hospitality I representative Tauhid Islam probably caries that much in his wallet.
That's a PUBLIC access that they agreed to before they started.
ReplyDeleteOr, developer should have set the money aside knowing from onset it was required.
OC also needs the cash; their revenues are taking a hit and most expenses about the same.
Middle ground: 50% now, and 10% each of following months; they could always pull the permit if payments don't arrive.
You people love the government. Please permit me. Please take my tax money. Please tell me what i can and cant do. Please certify me. Please zone me. Please license me. Thank you government what would we ever do without you.
DeleteThey shouldn't have built it if they didn't have the money. How would you like to be a contractor on that job and be told, "Let us open for a while and then we will pay you".
ReplyDeleteWhat the developer is asking for is another taxpayer bailout. They made a deal. Have them honor it.
ReplyDeleteBoardwalk or not, until they open, OC will get NO revenue. More if their management by committee.
ReplyDeleteEven without the Covid situation, this group had agreed to pay the fee before opening. Therefore, they knew the conditions and the costs. I think the City should stick to their stance and NOT issue the CO until the fee is paid.... just as previously agreed.
ReplyDeleteCome on Rickie Beerinhan and Company...
ReplyDeleteTo get this in the local paper....really???
There is no true precedent here, common sense....OOOPS
We know not that phrase "common sense" and it truly shows!
INDEED!
Oh come on 11:11, 11:12 - compromise is warranted in circumstances like this.
ReplyDeleteNot getting in the papers about $165k. Steve has better things to be placing in his paper than $165K issues.
While they are at it:
ReplyDeleteHow about dimming the freakin' lights on the building?
Maybe you have no idea just how bright they are. If not, go up around 28th Street one night a take a look.
It washes out every star in the sky.
I think they call it "light pollution".
Please consider bulbs or globes that are 1/2 blacked-out on the balconies. Other condos do it all the time.
Think of the neighbors.
By the way, I hope you come to some sort of agreement on the funds. Beautiful building!
'Cept for the lights.
Really funny that the developer got this far and ran out of money. Most of us would have set the money aside once we agreed to the deal.
ReplyDeleteHilarious actually.
I laugh at people who try to go into business without the funds to do so. Like they are dreamers or something. That is how stupid people end up poor.
Whether they should pay up should definitely be reviewed by OC lawyers. How big is this company financially? Are they planning bankruptcy? Are they in the process of selling to someone else. What is the real reason?
ReplyDeleteIf OC agrees to defer - would OC benefit from tourist spending. They are paying taxes which helps OC. Legally deferring seems reasonable.
Ocean City needs to stick to their guns. Screw those foreigner crooks.
ReplyDeleteA deal is a deal.
ReplyDelete109pm - Foreigner Cooks? Cmon man - there's no J1's here this year to be cooks.
ReplyDelete(SNICKER SNICKER)
our town is just as money hungry and greedy as the foreigners. Meehan and the rest of the council are only worried about one thing....the money. you all should focus on the innocent people who are getting the crap beat out of them on the board walk instead of this hotel news.
ReplyDeleteA profer is no different than a legal bribe to use your own property, if the board walk trully brings business then the private sector would find a way to build it rather than the socialist town planners. How about everyone in the town gov't giving up a ten foot strip of their back yard before they can live in their house just in case there is a perceived need for a walking trail.
ReplyDelete