Saturday, March 29, 2014

Is Chester City Government becoming a commercial realtor?

Chester City has purchased the old decrepit abandoned Pulaski school in a deal with the school district. Somehow, I only see the school district making out in this deal.

Since I only have a single Daily Times article (March 28, 2014 page 4 - not online) to draw information on, here are a few statements and questions from that article:

STATEMENT: The school district was planning to open bidding at $50,000 for Pulaski. Chester City purchased the building for $175,000 in a no bid transaction.
 QUESTION: Why did the city pay so much? Why didn’t the city participate in the auction? What’s the chance of the city winning an auction if they’re willing to forgive back taxes – clearly, no other bidder could do that? They'll never know if they could have got the building for less if they went through the auction.

STATEMENT: The cash strapped city found $70,000 in cash to pay the school district and will forgive $105,000 in back taxes.
QUESTION: Is there a property development line item in the city budget? How much is in it? If not, what bucket is this money coming from? 

STATEMENT: The city says the building will now generate tax revenue.
QUESTION: Wouldn’t the buildings generate tax revenue if someone else purchased them assuming no one is planning to buy them to open another public school? Now that the city owns Pulaski, is the city going to pay itself the property taxes or is the property still tax exempt? 

STATEMENT: The city says they plan to buy more buildings.
QUESTION: Why? Where is the money coming from to buy these properties?


Is anyone aware of the overall plan to help us understand what’s going on here? It may make sense but without some details it sure looks fishy to me.

14 comments:

  1. this help the school and city now they can sell the land for more money

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    Replies
    1. Ain't that double dipping? The state and taxes helps the schools. The library could use a little help. So, Chester city is now in the real estate business? Ruth L Bennett house is free. Buy that site and get that damn fence down and use the city's newest $2 million renovation to make money. What happens if these properties they buy don't sell? Who is the realtor? Who came up with this idea?

      Delete
  2. I'd be interested in these answers and have an additional question What is the building going to be used for now with the over crowding in the class rooms and under performance in these class rooms because of the formally stated overcrowding and under staffing and almost no classroom resources for EVERY student....WHAT IS THE CITY GOING TO USE THE BUILDING FOR ? The school district is going to obviously use the money to settle debts...but what about the students?

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  3. It would be a good if the city would turn these building into Community Centers that would have afterschool programs and free time for the kids in that area.
    B. W.

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    Replies
    1. The city can't afford to renovate Pulaski into anything. That building is totally trashed. Maybe I should take some photos to show y'all.

      My hunch is that they already have a buyer and may be playing 'front guy' Let's see how fast it's sold. That will tell a lot.

      Delete
  4. look up koz zones thats you answer schools do not get alot local taxes money

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    Replies
    1. I looked up Keystone Opportunity Zones. Sike. No I didn't.

      Where do you think the school district gets $125 million dollars to run the show? It's not from tuition or bake sales.

      What's your real point?

      Delete
  5. 95 m from state still not needed more money

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  6. f u you slave is that clear

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  7. How far have we come as a people to call someone a slave? The act of slavery was such a cruel and unfair treatment to the african american people. To the person that is calling Mr. Roots a slave own up be a man or woman and put your name behind it. if he is the the slave then you are the coward coward slave owner hiding behind the keyboard just like they were hiding behind the laws. Unbelievable.
    Muhammad

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  8. slave to ones mind mr roots is that so wake up muhammad

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