4.3.2008
Bridge commission sells land to Morrisville EDC
The Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission has reached an agreement to sell about an acre of land to Morrisville’s economic development corporation, the commission announced Thursday afternoon. The move could make way for a new office complex in the borough that has residents split.
The commission will sell the property on East Bridge Street at North Delmorr and Central avenues to the EDC for $100,000. The EDC is then expected to sell the property to Morrisville-based developer Penn Jersey Real Properties looking to build the Morrisville Gateway Center.
Saturday, April 5, 2008
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7 comments:
Gateway proposal huh! Obviously, transparency has been lacking up to this point. Could that be because there has been no public aspects to this deal? Public funds support the bridge commission, why are they privately selling land without seeking public bids? Why is the EDC the middleman for this deal? Was this a means whereas to circumvent public bids? Morrisville needs to revitalize and enhance her tax base but lets not once again put the cart before the horse as we did a 2 million dollar cart with the new school. Obviously, the EDC is purchasing this property assured that Penn Jersey will buy it from them for cost plus $5000. Who's getting the $5000? Now, a good question to ask is whether the buyers are purchasing with legal contingentcies incase they fail to obtain approval to build, or are they now convinced they have the necesary votes from borough council? Remember, this is a complex and contoversial proposial and will require several concessions to the developers. Would it not be prudent for the buyers to perform a perc test of the land prior to closing to see if the property conforms with the new and stringent state mandated storm water ordinance? What now if it does not? Will council issue a waiver just after unamiously rejecting the new school for the same reason? And then we have the issue of borough owned parkland that will be needed for a parking garage. As you cross the bridge now, there is an un-obstructed view of one of Morrisville's finer resources, (Williamson Park) This area certainly needs landscaping, perhaps a winding walk, gas lamps and benches. There are several questions we should ask ourselves before moving forward. Do we want to block that view with a 4 story building? Do we really need to introduce up to another 600 rush hour cars at that spot? Do we really want to lose parkland forever? I know some people express a need for more tax revenue. Do they fully understand the 10 tax abatement/lerta that the developer needs to make this project profitable? Lerta's are great in some cases but beware that they may lead to the perception of favortism and create an unfair competitive marketplace. Beware that this project could actually cost taxpayers money over the next several years (In services) while a developer and possible multi-million dollar company enjoy tax breaks. Besides, Morrisville really doesn't need the added tax revenue as pundits may lead you to believe. Let's face it, the big anchor has been our school district. In historical context, we could build 10 Gateway centers and the school would find some way to waste the money. Do the math, there is more than adaquate funds now being pumped into the school system. Let's hope the "Emperor" can change that trend. Let's this time get it right. Let's really do what is best for Morrisville.
"Let's hope the "Emperor" can change that trend. Let's this time get it right. Let's really do what is best for Morrisville."
WHICH IS????? Has someone made a suggestiong to do what is best for Morrisville. Last time I heard Mr. H was telling his clients to not even come close to Morrisville.
"Do the math, there is more than adaquate funds now being pumped into the school system."
Then tell me why Reiter has a turn of the century heating system. Why are there SO many issues that haven't been fixed.
Now, what other speech have a heard the saying putting the horse before the cart, hmmmmmm???????
So many questions. Let's just stop right now, without even trying to answer them. Nothing ventured, nothing lost, I always say. Actually, that's the first time I've ever said it, but it seems like a fitting expression for traditional Morrisville.
The only thing that truly puzzles me is why Penn Jersey Real Properties has hung in there so long? I think I would have found another more hospitable, less-risky place for my money by now, like the many others who fleetingly think about Morrisville before investing elsewhere (shout out to Mr. Hellmann for further reducing the length of the fleeting thoughts). Traditional Morrisville logic indicates that shady improprieties must be involved, not unlike the way ancient peoples feared eclipses or the evil eye. Actually, I still fear the evil eye, and there are several skilled practitioners in town.
Makes me think of an old SNL skit:
http://snltranscripts.jt.org/77/77rtheodoric.phtml
Any smart business person is going to put contingencies in a contract this size in case issues out of their control (i.e. council approval) fall through. I agree that, given recent events, doing a perc test before the purchase would be a wise move. But if the perc passes, who knows what other laws opponents will extend to suit their agenda?
That same smart business person would also look for tax breaks. Who would blame them? And as long as there is a reasonable end-date to the breaks, we should support the idea. Here's why.
This building is just the start of revitalization, it is not the revitalization itself. By introducing a few hundred new jobs to our "downtown" area you will also help our existing businesses thrive and attract other new businesses because those few hundred people will look for places to eat and shop near their workplace.
And just as this building is just the start of revitalization, so too would've been a new school.
Why is the EDC the middleman? Well, I'd think Penn Jersey would gladly do the deal privately and the building would probably already be standing if it could've been done without government intervention.
So, is the school an anchor? Let's check with Merriam Webster.
Main Entry: 1an·chor
Pronunciation: \ˈaŋ-kər\
Function: noun
Usage: often attributive
Etymology: Middle English ancre, from Old English ancor, from Latin anchora, from Greek ankyra; akin to Old English anga hook — more at angle
Date: before 12th century
1 : a device usually of metal attached to a ship or boat by a cable and cast overboard to hold it in a particular place by means of a fluke that digs into the bottom
2 : a reliable or principal support : mainstay
3 : something that serves to hold an object firmly
4 : an object shaped like a ship's anchor
5 : an anchorman or anchorwoman
6 : the member of a team (as a relay team) that competes last
7 : a large business (as a department store) that attracts customers and other businesses to a shopping center or mall
8 : a fixed object (as a tree or a piton) to which a climber's rope is secured
I'd say I'd have to agree that yes, the school is the anchor of a community, especially definitions 2,3,7.
I have to disagree with #7 as our schools are no longer capable of attracting people to our community. Thanks to the emperor and his lemmings they are sending people out in droves (not that this upsets the locals here, they don't like kids here in this town andymore than they like revitalization).
My point was that a school *should* be the anchor of a community. It was not meant as commentary on what it currently is or is not.
anonymous number one can't be Ron Stout, even though the writing is just as vitriolic...it is too intelligently written for Ron.
It might be Steve Worob, but I warrent it was ghost written by his "sister" in Falls, Ms. Dorothy Vislosky.
"Morrisville really doesn't need the added tax revenue..."
Who doesn't need added tax revenue?
"is more than adaquate funds now being pumped into the school system"
HA!
More than enough? Then the new school wouldn't have been defeated, if this was the case.
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