The Smyrna City Council voted in March to loan the Downtown Smyrna Development Authority up to $275,000 to buy property and the steel skeleton of an abandoned commercial and retail construction project at the intersection of Concord Road and Dunton Street, between South Cobb Drive and Atlanta Road. Councilman Charles “Corkey” Welch, who represents the area, said $250,000 was for buying the property from State Bank and Trust, while another $25,000 is set aside for demolition.
But now a “for sale” sign is back up in front of the site, which was abandoned when funding dried up in 2009, shortly after the economy took a dive. Welch said the city is putting it up for sale again for a couple months to give a developer who wants to finish out the building an opportunity to take it over before it is demolished.
“It may take some work to go back in there and build a building, but it’s not anywhere near a point where it can’t be completed,” said Welch, who is a senior vice president at a Cobb civil engineering firm.
Welch said the building could be completed for either retail or office use.
The city is asking $350,000 for the site, Welch said.
“Everything is negotiable,” he said.
What the city will do with the site if it isn’t purchased in the next two months is “To be determined,” Welch said. The building skeleton would be demolished and the land grassed over, but the city remains undecided whether it would go back on the market for redevelopment or used for something like park space.
Council voted 6-1 on March 5 to offer a resolution of support for the downtown development authority’s purchase of the property, then, after Councilwoman Melleny Pritchett left the chamber, it voted 5-1 for the $275,000 budget amendment. Councilman Wade Lnenicka cast the lone dissenting vote in each case.
Efforts to reach Lnenicka were not successful Thursday.
Alex Backry, a former city staffer and mayoral candidate, said that the city should have kept the property bank owned, so owners would still be required to pay property taxes.
“You’re speculating with taxpayer money,” he said. “They have no plans.”
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The voting citizens of Smyrna are partly to blame. You have allowed an ineffective government to exist without accountability nor any expectation of return on their taxes.
The schools reflect this.
The housing stock reflects this.
The empty developments reflect this.
The lack of leadership to address problems reflects this.
Supporting failed policy will not attract the type businesses & development that is necessary to succeed.
There's a Facebook page, asking people to sign a petition, if you would like a Trader Joes.
A petition will not bring businesses that have high standards to Smyrna.
Maybe there's truth behind all the attempts to expose possible corruption?
Come and see for yourselves what Smyrna did w/ the 8.5 million dollar SPLOST Concord Road Improvements.(and another 10 million in the 2011 SPLOST for the exact same project!!...huh???)
It's a disaster zone. Looks like a war torn community.
All the city did was buy out small businesses and tear them to the ground.
Even used eminent domain on the hold outs!
NOT ONE IMPROVEMENT,.. in 50 or so years!!
I live in the neighborhood and I can say definitively that the city is using the same tactics it used on Hickory Lakes and Smyrna Commons. It is DEvaluing the 500 or so 3/1 ranch '50's neighborhood,... and noone seems to care.
The lack of outrage is exactly why this city can continue w/ its deceitful 'development' practices against its own citizens.
You also gave a cogent explanation for the disappearance of our tax dollars. I will sleep better tonight knowing my money is in good hands and my property is quickly rising in value.
Oh - and that Smyrna's leadership has only our best interest in mind.
The bank receiving Security Exchange may have expidited getting rid of the property due to what agreement may be in place when they purchased the assets of the failed bank.
Truly is SAD!
The money is going into pockets & pet projects that only benefit a select few, while most of the city remains impoverished.
That IS the reason PRIVATE businesses & developers aren't willing to RISK Smyrna.
Take for instance the Hickory Lakes scam ! The city encouraged the DEvaluation of this property, allowing code violations & crime to go unchecked.
Then the city (as white knight), swoops in w/ $14 MILLION of taxpayers money to purchase and raze the property. Adding to Smyrna's many vacant corners , the fix is in.
Now, take a quality city such as Sandy Springs, run by 1st class lady, Mayor Galambos and they way THEY spend tax money, actually INVITES and ENCOURAGES private investment.
The city is working on beautiful streetscapes & tree plantings along all its roadways INSTEAD of buying apartments.
A PRIVATE company, JLB Partners LP is planning a 100 million dollar project on Roswell Rd. which includes tearing down 2 aging apartment communities & REbuilding highend apartments and retail!
THAT's how it's done in Sandy Springs. The citizens BENEFIT from a MINDFUL government w/ increased property value and a solid quality of life.