[CGC] Fw: Status on the Wharf Landing

[Administrator]

Status on the Wharf LandingTuesday, 19 December 2006

I received a call from Gene Ransom, QA County Commissioner last evening.  He 
called to bring me up to date on the County's efforts to buy the Wharf 
Landing and also asked that I get the news out to our constituencies.

Last Friday, after the meeting between the Town Council and the Wharf 
Landing developer, Mr. McCrory, the Town Manager came into the County 
Planning and Zoning office to discuss the Town's desire to purchase the 
Wharf Landing property.  He came to the County because he knew that  the 
county had efforts ongoing to purchase the property.

Mr. McCrory was informed of the following ongoing efforts by the County to 
purchase the property:

- All five new County Commissioners have voted to make the purchase of the 
Centreville Landing property one of two high priority land acquisitions in 
the County.  The other is land for a new school in Sudlersville.
- The County has had the property appraised.
- With the appraisal, the County has applied for grant monies to purchase 
the property.
- The County has heard that their application for grant monies is being 
looked upon favorably, since it meets the criteria for the funds.
-Once the monies are received, the County will attempt to negotiate the sale 
of the property with the developer.  It is to be noted that the County can 
only negotiate up to the level of the appraised value, and no higher.
-The County is the first in line for the property and will not be partnering 
with the Town on the purchase.

While this is very good news, the deal is not done.  Mr. Ransom did not know 
the details of the purchase as to whether both sides of Watson Road were 
involved, or just the "point of land" that was slated for condo development.

As I hear further information on the ongoing proceedings I will send it on. 
Our appeal on the granting of a variance for the fill on the land to the 
State Court of Special Appeals was heard in mid-November and we are 
expecting a ruling in late January/early February.  We will still proceed 
with the case and receive a ruling since the purchase of the property by the 
County is not a "done deal", yet.

If you have questions, please give me a call at 410 758 4798.

Happy holidays to one and all and thank you all for the support of our 
efforts to save the Centreville Wharf.
Kind regards,

Bob Thompson