06.07.09
Daley Court Dibacle
If you have been paying attention to the recent proposal to sell the infamous Daley Court property to a non-profit organization for a new Senior housing project, you need to watch the video shot by our friend at Brainflation.
http://brainflation.wordpress.com/
I am amazed at how the Town has supported such a substantial risk to the citizens and the community through leaving this facility unsecured.
Thank you Brainflation for taking your valuable time in bringing your videos to the public.
Get rid of it! said,
June 7, 2009 at 9:28 pm
Years have gone by since Daley Court was basically given up by the Housing Authority. It’s substandard housing that can’t be “fixed” and the video proves it.
It’s loaded with asbestos, lead paint, broken pipes, and is a prime example of too dense housing that must go. Contrary to what’s been publicly said, it never was in “mint” condition in the last 40 years!
It’s not worth “millions” as the cry from those looking for an election springboard believe, and it was legally advertised several times over the last decade with no takers. $50k for the property when demo and abatement must occur for some affordable housing for seniors on Burnside seems about right.
If this develper runs and hides, who would blame him given the absolutely inaccurate characterazations of the propety made publicly.
The same type of investors who look to develop Rentschler Field that have the millions to invest simply bypass this town since the crazies take to the streets every election cycle.
There are plenty of issues to take on to get elected, why pick this loser of an issue to stake a campaign on?
John Ryan said,
June 8, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I have to agree with Get Rid of It…While Daley Court is an example of how a Town can lose something, I also believe this is a good project. Not only as a resident of East Hartford, but as a Commissioner on the Redevelopment Commission.
This project will eliminate a bad property and provide something the Town needs.
We on the Redevelopment Commission viewed a number of proposals for that property. Sheldon Charter Oak provided the best solution to utilizing this property.
I have to publicly commend Jon Searles for for his efforts to show the property. But I have yet to see any evidence that his suppositions are factual. To conclude that this property is commercially viable just because other properties have sold does not make it so.
And if this proerty is placed on the market, what guarantees are there that it will sell in this time of economic downturn for anywhere near the value it is supposed to have. Just look across the river to Hartford…how many properties are just rotting away because developers don’t want to take the risk. And if it does sell what guarantees does the town have that it will be maintained properly?
And I believe Mrs. Kneip is a licensed Real Estate Agent, perhaps she would donate her commission and market Daley Court and get a price closer to the market value.
This project is the best use of this property. When completed there will be 24 modern units in place of 30 late 1950’s early 1960’s vintage apartments.
Which do you think the neighbors of Daley Court would rather see out their windows..a modern building that is well maintained or the existing buildings with a face lift?
I voted for this project and would do so again. It is in the best interests of the town and it’s residents
East Hartford Taxpayer said,
June 9, 2009 at 9:07 am
There is a public hearing on Tuesday June 16th at 7PM in the town council chambers. I encourage everyone to attend whether for or against. More voices make better government.
In the meantime I’d be glad to offer personalized tours until it’s boarded. I’ve yet to have anyone point out any actual functional obsolescence. Further, the document trail indicates that the EHHA conducted an environmental hazard survey during the eminent domain process which certified that only environmental hazard was the asbestos containing vinyl floor tiles.
The town had the property appraised at 2.2 million on it’s books with an assessment of 1.5 million which translates into about 54K in taxes a year when transferred to a private party. Yesterday the assessment miraculously fell to about 350K at the direction of Rich Gentile (does he have that authority?) meaning the taxes are reduced to 12,600 a year. That will save the developer about 124 thousand dollars in taxes during development of the project.
The expected tax income upon completion as given at the last meeting is $65K a year. Yet the development plan states the final project value will be 4.5 million dollars. That should translate into a 113,400 in annual taxes. These things haven’t been explained.
Ladyx said,
June 9, 2009 at 7:57 pm
Listen, there are many valid pionts on both sides. I am of the opinion that maybe it is simply to late and costly for the Town iteself to rehab the property. However, it appears as though the Town has had a hand in contributing to the property’s demise, purely by neglect. So, what other properties does the Town own that could potentially meet this same fate? And why oh why, is this property accessible by the public at large (sorry Jon - not meant to offend)? One would think that when the Town owned property is left open to the publi it invites vagrants, crime and LIABILITY that we cannot afford.
East Hartford Taxpayer said,
June 9, 2009 at 9:46 pm
I get the feeling that separate from the development project at hand a large and important story in regards to how the town handles property and development is going to emerge from this.
Get rid of it! said,
June 11, 2009 at 9:22 pm
Please read page 5 of the 6/11 Journal Inquirer. Manchester Directors uninanimously approved a $150,000 tax break for 44 units of elderly housing being built on land owned by the Manchester Housing Authority.
There seems to be many similarities to Daley Court, so I ask these questions.
Why do Democrats and Republicans in the next community understand that elderly housing is a resonsibility of the community and are willing to give up tax revenue to provide it, while here in town they do not?
Seemingly, East Hartford’s legally bid project which removes blight (I now hear that Daley Court was abondoned by the Housing Authority because $700,000 was needed to repair the heating plant at the complex), provides $50,000 of much needed revenue to the town, and pays $65,000 per year in taxes, is a much better deal than that approved in Manchester, but in East Hartford, we have division and deversion, while they have an approved project?
Ah, I remember why this is so. Susan Kniep thinks a grave conspiracy exists and wants it investigated. This is how she treated developers when she was Mayor, and apparently, nothing has changed.
Well, almost nothing except she’s got a new pupil in Jon Searles, who lowers the level of public discourse by accusing our elected officials of “lying”.
Sadly, while other communities seemly “get it”, all East Hartford can produce is empty rhetoric and accusations. That my friends is not how you grow the grand list, or treat people, and our reputation preceeds itself.
I Love EH said,
June 11, 2009 at 9:52 pm
Kudos to Get Rid of It. Can we say election year?
East Hartford Taxpayer said,
June 11, 2009 at 11:23 pm
If you’d like to share your data on the 700,000 repair cost for the heating units I’d love to know a source. I’m open to all data. My conclusions are based on the factual data I have found so far and that would certainly change the picture.
In fact, I am more than willing to sit down with you over coffee to discuss the issue and learn where specifically I’m going wrong in my conclusions. It would be much more productive than an attempt at character assassination. My email can be found on the linked blog if you’d like to shoot me a message and set up a time.
East Hartford Taxpayer said,
June 22, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Video and my supporting documents:
http://brainflation.wordpress.com/2009/06/22/daley-court-video-and-documents/
FloozieFloss said,
July 21, 2009 at 11:12 pm
“So, what other properties does the Town own that could potentially meet this same fate? ” You have to be joking, right? When was the last time you took a detour down King Court? Demolition by neglect is the by-word of the EHHA.
East Hartford Taxpayer said,
July 22, 2009 at 11:08 am
I filed an FOI request to get the documents which would conclusively show that the law was or wasn’t followed in the disposition of Daley Court. As expected they showed the law wasn’t followed.
http://brainflation.wordpress.com/2009/07/22/foi-response-documents-conclusively-show-no-law-was-followed/