The Old Salisbury Firehouse

I received this from Brad Gillis today.  I support the Gillis' in their effort to purchase this historic piece of Salisbury. 

PLEASE COME TO SUPPORT THE FIREHOUSE ON DEC 13th at the GOVERNMENT OFFICE BUILDING, TIME TBD

 

I am emailing for your support. On December 13th the City of Salisbury Council will vote into legislation to accept our offer to purchase the Former Station 16 Firehouse. A successful vote will allow us the opportunity to negotiate the disposition agreement between us and the city.

  

The only (known) opposition has been the Local Owner Restaurant Association (LORA), they oppose because they believe the following:

 

MYTHS:

• Will be a state funded restaurant operation much like the Commons at SU creating unfair competition
• Will become a non-profit and not pay real estate taxes
• $100,000 offer price is below market
• Not zoned for apartments on the 3rd floor
• Process is happening to fast

 

 

 

FACTS:


Black Diamond Catering:

• For profit operation
• The main operator of the venue and event planner.
• LORA member.
• Would coordinate events such as banquets, conventions, meetings, shows, dinner theaters, art exhibits within the Firehouse potentially using staff from the H.E.I.
• In charge of creating the right atmosphere to appeal the specific event.

 

 

 

UMES/HEI:

• Karl Binns and University of Maryland Eastern Shore will create a training and resource center for people working in the hospitality industry as well as those who are considering opening a hospitably business.
• H.E.I seeks to actively serve the hospitality and tourism industry and the local community as a resource for information, training, development and growth in the pursuit of hospitality excellence.
• Participants in the H.E.I program will use space in the basement and ground level of the building.
• Participants in H.E.I. will assist with events hosted in the Firehouse.
• The H.E.I. will NOT be responsible for the daily operations of the Firehouse

 

TAXABLE REAL ESTATE:

• The firehouse is currently not taxed, once ownership changes hands, the property will be taxable

 

PRICE:

• The City of Salisbury publicly requested proposals in September of 2009, this was a competitive public process, the best price was brought, monetary value was only 5% of the scoring criteria, 60% of the scoring criteria was the plan for the real estate and the positive impact on the City of Salisbury

 

 

ZONING:

• The property is within the central business district (CBD) and above ground level apartments are allowed within the CBD

 

 

LENGTH OF PROCESS:

• The firehouse has been vacant since 2008, the public has been aware of the vacant building since that time, the building was declared surplus and request for proposals were requested in 2009, almost two years have past.

  

Bradley Gillis, CCIM│Senior Advisor
Sperry Van Ness │ Miller Commercial Real Estate
206 East Main Street│Salisbury, MD 21801
410-543-2440 (phone)│410-543-2491 (direct phone/fax)
Bradley.Gillis@svn.com │www.SVNmiller.com

 

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