An Interesting(?) Downtown Renewal Plan
Printed From: MiddletownUSA.com
Category: Middletown City Government
Forum Name: Economic Development
Forum Description: Local government efforts to develop the local Middletown area economy.
URL: http://www.middletownusa.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6529
Printed Date: Apr 26 2024 at 10:55am
Topic: An Interesting(?) Downtown Renewal Plan
Posted By: Analytical
Subject: An Interesting(?) Downtown Renewal Plan
Date Posted: Sep 07 2017 at 10:36am
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A few years ago the city purchased dilapidated, unoccupied commercial properties at 1325 and 1329 Central Avenue via the use of HUD Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) funds. Next, more of these "housing foreclosure prevention" dollars were tapped to demolish the buildings. The combined cost was $200,000+/-. In addition to the above, a woodworking shop at 1316 Vail Avenue was bought by the city as part of a relocation/property swap with its' owners. The city then paid for the woodworking shop owners to move equipment, etc. to a new location owned by the city on the other side of Central Avenue. It's unclear what source of city funds (nearly $100,000) was used for this aspect of the deal.
Over two years ago the subject Central Avenue parcels and Vail Avenue woodworking shop, over 32,000 square feet in size, were sold to Liberty Spirits LLC for a nominal amount. As per the Butler County Auditor records, said real estate could possibly be be tax exempt. My questions are a simple ones for senior city staff to respond: 1) Is it true that roughly $300,000+/- in city funds were spent to convey said real estate for a nominal fee? 2) Did the city conduct a public solicitation for redeveloper proposals? and; 3) What timetable (if any) governs the Liberty Spirits LLC revitalization of this prime commercial property? |
Replies:
Posted By: buddhalite
Date Posted: Sep 07 2017 at 2:17pm
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The city clearly needs to get out of this business. The idea that somehow you can develop properties and be succesful in an area is something that the free market determines. If people won't develop these properties - let 'em burn down. Government intervention in the buying/selling/trading of market properties is ALWAYS a losing bet for the government - it never works unless private money looks well upon the situation. Bob ------------- "Every government intervention [in the marketplace] creates unintended consequences, which lead to calls for further government interventions." -Ludwig van Mises |
Posted By: spiderjohn
Date Posted: Sep 07 2017 at 4:13pm
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pure buddy system shenanigans nothing yet has topped the duncan oil dealS but wait until the Studio deal comes out! and WE paid for these private entity ownerships!
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Posted By: Analytical
Date Posted: Sep 14 2017 at 10:07am
| Does anyone know if Mr. Robinette's one dollar land gift from the City of Middletown remains tax-exempt until such time as he may decide to develop this property? Are there any stipulations? I'd hoped to refrain from posting, but, this matter is of taxpayer's interest. |
Posted By: swohio75
Date Posted: Sep 14 2017 at 10:27am
Which property are your referring to that you believe to be tax exempt? |
Analytical wrote: