City to Build on Downtown Success
Salisbury Enters Into Exclusive Negotiation Period For Redevelopment of Lots 1 & 11
New Jobs, New Residents, New Vitality
In December of 2013, the City of Salisbury issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the development of three downtown parking lots. There were seven clearly stated Development Objectives, focusing on interrelated issues of the economy; fiscal stability; the natural environment; housing; design; and community development. Additionally, there were 5 clearly stated revitalization goals for downtown Salisbury, those being to increase the number of jobs, increase the number of housing units, increase the resident population, increase the amount of commercial square footage, and remove impervious surface area.
Harkins Downtown, LLC, owned by local developer and builder David Harkins, submitted a response to the RFP. In summary, the initial proposal included approximately 200 apartments; 46,000 square feet of retail space; 17,600 square feet of public space; a boutique hotel and restaurant; outdoor amenities; a multi-level parking garage with additional retail; and open space and other project amenities. The project would include both public and private funds.
At the request of Mayor James Ireton, Jr. the Salisbury City Council agreed to allow the administration to enter into an Exclusive Negotiation Period (ENP) with Harkins Downtown, LLC to discuss the project in greater detail. The ENP will begin on July 1, 2014 and last six months. The ENP assures Harkins Downtown, LLC that the City will not sell the property during this time.
“This is incredibly good news for downtown. Expanding our economic base creating new jobs, and making downtown home for many new residents has always been our goal. New customers for our downtown businesses will lead to continued success. As these phases are completed over the next several years, they will be the next chapter in our Downtown Salisbury success story,” said Salisbury Mayor, James Ireton, Jr.
Authority: Ireton for Maryland. William C. Duck, Jr., Treasurer
12 comments:
Harkins is not capable of this project, and it would not be the best thing as it will result in the death of downtown except as a rental mecca and kill any potential for real revitalization
of that area.
This has all the earmarks of the project that was going to revitalize the old mall site on Civic Avenue and Beaglin Park Drive. When Harkins asks for a "TIF" to pay for the project, we better say no. Fortunately, that mall deal died on the vine, but the other one at Aydelotte Farm is now a major disaster.
Why this:
Authority: Ireton for Maryland. William C. Duck, Jr., Treasurer
?????
You're right, 245, Why this? It smells, really big time.
Authority: Ireton for Maryland. William C. Duck, Jr., Treasurer
Isn't this kind of corrupt using this press release as a campaign stunt? Jim Ireton is a snake and this is political corruption.
I don't see 200 people or families waiting to move into that building on the parking lot. This is a scam for Jimmy to get more rental houses in the downtown area. Rental housing means more Democrat voters.
what is jimmy running for next.? maybe he wants obamas job. they look alike. thanks sjd
SUPER GHETTO!!! ATTN: More free money for slum lords!
This is corruption from the Ireton administration.
Salisbury already has over 60,000 square feet of vacant retail space downtown, and over three times that in vacant residential space. And I don't see anybody standing in line to fill that up.
So, let's build more???
Look at the straw bicycles laying around down there. There's nobody there to ride them, either.
Nobody is going to shop there when parking is free everywhere else in the city!
Nobody is going to live there who owns a car and drives to work!
Owning a car is a liability to anyone who wants to go downtown for ANYTHING!
Is that so? Anyways thanks for sharing. commercial space available for rent
WTH is this "Ireton for Maryland" crap? Is this a city project that should come out on city letterhead, or a political stunt, with taxpayer dollars supporting it? WTH????
A really big grocery store chain has expressed interest in that precise area if and when this project flies.Personally I do not think the concept of delivering groceries has a place in today's world,but someone does.
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