From Harford County government:
Harford County government is seeking “Expressions of Interest” in one of the last major development opportunities in the vibrant downtown area of Bel Air. The official request has been posted on the county website for mixed-use development of county-owned property covering roughly two-thirds of the block bounded by Main Street, Churchville Road, Hickory Avenue, and Courtland Place in the Town of Bel Air. The property consists of two connected parcels totaling approximately 2.5 acres.
“This is an exciting opportunity to create jobs and expand the tax base while attracting citizens to live in and enjoy downtown Bel Air,” said County Executive Barry Glassman. “We are looking for a high quality, mixed-use concept that is in keeping with the community character and our goals for economic development.”
Submissions are required to provide significant parking solutions and should emphasize pedestrian-friendly streetscapes and landscaping.
The property known as the “tire lot,” so-named for a former business on the site, is now the home of a parking lot, and a former shopping center currently used for government document storage.
The complete Request for Expressions of Interest is posted on Harford County government’s procurement bid board here: http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/1540/Bid-Board-and-Results. Submissions are due by 3:00 p.m. on January 19, 2017.
They already know what they are going to do with it, no matter what comments are received. Might as well add the Conservative headquarters to the demolish list as well since that is of no use either.
So, using a moniker “InTheKnow” and stating “they” already know what “they” are going to use it for.
Why don’t you tell me who “they” are, and what “they” are going to use it for?
So if question A passes Billy and Barry can sell this property to his buddies without any interference.
This is a major concern for the future of Bel Air. We do not want to see what happened in Elkton happen here. Once you dispose of this property there is no where for the county to expand in the future and the county will inevitably grow. At that point, the county will insist that they have to move out of Bel Air and the businesses will move with them, just like Elkton. the county will also pay a premium for land in the future. This is a very bad idea!
NO doubt about it, a FRIEND of our County Exec wants the property!! Barry Glassman had a good reputation before the little nuisance of power as County Exec went to his head and now he seems more of a politician than ever. It will get worse if Question A is passed……so vote against Question A.