Remember the Philly Plan, which was going to have a task force formed, but never happened because “it did not make sense for Worcester”? The Philly Plan wanted to target a dozen underutilized parcels for commercial development to increase the commercial tax base by:
- Locking in assessed values for 10 years
- Waiving all permitting and sewer/water connection fees
A perfect local example would be the Hanover Theatre which received both of these benefits. Recently we have read #2 is starting to become a reality (click for column). The DPW is also recommending a series of changes that will “eliminate the capacity fees on most change of use for existing buildings and substantially reduce the fees on new uses with intense water and sewer demands”.
The past week we have been reading how the WRA is putting some 20+ properties on notice?? Here is a quote from the Telegram today:
Now city officials have lost patience with the owners… of about two dozen properties. A WRA plan is targeting the parcels for new use, and it’s putting some of the owners on notice that the agency might wield its power of eminent domain.
We understand how one can lose patience but how looking no further at the South Worcester Industrial Park that is owned by the City of Worcester, which has sat moribund for 20 plus years. Maybe the City should focus on their underperforming parcels before exercising eminent domain on parcel that is current on their property taxes? At a time when the City of Worcester will have no excess tax levy capacity this fiscal year (or next), has a large projected school budget deficit and should be seriously looking at departmental cuts, the City of Worcester is in no position to embark on a 100 million dollar urban renewal project.
Let the free market work, with a little help from a Philly type plan, to expand the commercial tax base not the over-extension of government (eminent domain) and wasted tax dollars (100 million).
