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Lynda
Advanced Member
1282 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2007 : 08:39:00 AM
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Great article, Thanks.
Citizen The Mayor makes no mistakes about thinking that we are, Everett residence, not that bright. |
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Citizen Kane
Advanced Member
1082 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2007 : 09:01:23 AM
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| I'm confused by your comment, Lynda. Are you saying that Hanlon is right in thinking that we're not too bright? Because on his best day, couldn't match any one of us on this board. |
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Lynda
Advanced Member
1282 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2007 : 09:04:35 AM
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| NO he isn't right! I am referring to his comment on him thinking that we wouldn't be able to understand the Audit. |
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Citizen Kane
Advanced Member
1082 Posts |
Posted - 05/03/2007 : 09:54:13 AM
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| Ahhhh . . . yes, I had the same thought when I read the article. Thanks for clarifying. Sometimes I'm a little slow first thing in the morning! |
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arthur
Senior Member
212 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2007 : 06:34:38 AM
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EVERETT
GE may sell land to steel manufacturer
By Katheleen Conti, Globe Staff | May 6, 2007
The possible sale of the vacant General Electric site in Everett to a Somerville steel company could net the city more than $2 million in much-needed tax revenue, according to some city officials privy to negotiations between the two companies.
But other officials, including US Representative Ed Markey, argue that the anticipated boon to Everett will be detrimental to the River's Edge project, a partnership to redevelop about 200 acres in Everett, Malden, and Medford for mixed-use, "smart growth" development that includes the approximately 40-acre General Electric site.
A GE spokesman said the company has signed a purchase and sale agreement with Central Steel Supply Co. to move Central from Somerville to Everett. Central Steel is being forced out of its location by the city of Somerville, which took over the land for to redevelop the Assembly Square urban development district.
Everett Mayor John Hanlon said no sale has been recorded yet and he is not sure yet how he feels about the possible sale. But he said he is aware Malden and Medford officials and other members of the Mystic Valley Development Commission, a coalition of the River's Edge communities, are "pretty much against it," because it would bring heavy industry with a 24-hour truck operation to the site.
The site was had been zoned for industrial use, but the Everett City Council approved an overlay district in 2004 that would require special permits and variances for any industrial use.
Central Steel "and the city of Everett have been collaborating on the overlay and how this deal will be a win-win," said GE spokesman Richard Gorham.
Though the GE site is no longer in use, owners continue to pay the city about $225,000 in annual property taxes, said Everett budget director Janice Vetrano aid selling and developing the GE site could net the city about $2.5 million. Despite past offers for the site, GE officials have been selective about selling it because of contaminants in the soil and they want to avoid any liability, Hanlon said. Vetrano estimated that cleanup of the site could cost about $1 million per acre.
River's Edge, formerly known as TeleCom City, has been 13 years in the making, initially for the purpose of converting industrial land on both sides of the Malden River into a hub for the telecommunications industry, and now focusing on high-tech business and housing.
Vetrano said 120 acres of the River's Edge project sit in Everett, and that even if GE sells its 40 acres, the city would still be committed to the project.
Everett's development is slated to be phase two of the three-phase project.
"That land is vacant and it's only matter of time for [GE site owners] to put in an abatement application, and then we won't get any money out of that," Vetrano said. "We're extremely, extremely cognizant of the tax burden for the people of Everett and we're trying to find relief where we can. But that being said, we have a relationship with the MVDC [Mystic Valley Development Commission] and we want to honor that. Everett is in the middle here."
In an e-mail statement, Markey said Central Steel would not be suitable for the area. "When we began the River's Edge project, we envisioned a world-class high-technology hub that would create good jobs while safeguarding the environment," Markey said. "This latest proposed use is inconsistent with the vision for the River's Edge project, however, I am hopeful that a more suitable location for the company can be found."
Medford Mayor Michael McGlynn, who chairs the development commission, said project attorneys are close to settling some "legal encumbrances" relating to land acquisition, and "once that's happened, we've had serious discussions on breaking ground this summer.
"Once that shovel goes in the ground, there's no doubt in my mind that the project is going to be completed in a hurry," he said. "Steel manufacturing wouldn't be compatible with the project we hope to advance and the vision we have. We're looking for a cleaner type of environment in the area because this was 100 years ago the site of our industrial revolution, and we put a lot of time and effort and money to clean it up."
Even if the project gets started soon, Hanlon said, it would be a while before Everett taxpayers get relief. "What is 'close to getting started'? . . . We've been waiting 10 years for this to be done," Hanlon said. " 'Right around the corner' could be a year. 'Pretty soon' could be three years."
Everett Common Councilor Joseph Hickey, who used to represent Everett in the Mystic Valley Development Commission, said that a while a steel operation "wouldn't be a step forward," the "bottom line [is] that's GE's property and GE can do whatever they want with it.
"Everett certainly has to do what is in its best interest tax-wise," Hickey said. "It's difficult to say what is going to be the best route to go."
McGlynn said he is concerned that having a steel operation at the River's Edge site would cause problems in trying to get the state to release funds, including federal funds, that were allocated for the project and its new vision. The concern is such that the development commission has discussed taking the GE site by eminent domain.
"We've discussed making Everett whole on the tax issue. We're trying to figure out how to get them that $250,000, but there's got to be some sacrifice," McGlynn said. "Medford has lost $600,000 while we wait, but we will recoup that money once the project goes forward."
McGlynn said he is pursuing further discussions with Markey and state Housing and Economic Development Secretary Daniel O'Connell about the GE site. Central Steel has until May 31 to develop a good-faith agreement with the Assembly Square district developer on purchase and relocation costs, said Tom Champion, spokesman for the city of Somerville. If both are close to an agreement by May 31, the city might extend the deadline, but if not, Champion said the city would start an eminent domain taking of the Central Steel site, which would be a long process.
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Lori
Member
96 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2007 : 07:49:17 AM
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| very interesting |
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EverettsPride
Advanced Member
1140 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2007 : 10:18:28 AM
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"Everett Mayor John Hanlon said no sale has been recorded yet and he is not sure yet how he feels about the possible sale."
He does not know much about anything does he.
Sally |
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Lori
Member
96 Posts |
Posted - 05/06/2007 : 11:49:32 AM
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| bet you it was a quite deal like best buy was |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2007 : 10:52:44 PM
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| What was the deal Best Buy received? |
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EverettsPride
Advanced Member
1140 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2007 : 10:54:30 PM
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It was passed without the public getting to speak about it. Some people were upset that Hanlon did not ask Best Buy to re do Sacramone Park as a good faith gesture for the city.
Sally |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 05/07/2007 : 10:57:00 PM
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| Mayor Honor and Integrity did that. I'm shocked. LOL |
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massdee
Moderator
5299 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2007 : 08:44:43 AM
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| Anything of interest in todays Globe? |
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Ellen
Senior Member
173 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2007 : 1:19:08 PM
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| Jack Supino passed away. |
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justme
Advanced Member
1428 Posts |
 Posted - 05/08/2007 : 6:55:23 PM
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| Wasn't the Best Buy deal done under Ragucci? I'd like the answer to be no, but it doesn't seem like enough time has passed for it to have happened under the current administration and progressed this far. It looks like they'll be open soon. |
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FULLMOON
Member
12 Posts |
Posted - 05/08/2007 : 7:36:37 PM
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BEST BUY,YA HE HAD ALOT TO DO WITH NOTHING!!!
MAYBE HE HAS SOMETHING DO WITH CENTRAL STEEL COMING TO EVERETT, AFTER ALL WAS HE A VP OF SOME REALTY COMPANY,
URASE |
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today's globe
