Though I haven't got anyone willing to say it on the record yet, two insiders who seem to know what's up have told me in recent days that the Scalia sand pit off Barlow Street is unlikely to be used for one of the two new schools eyed by the city.
Apparently, the owners want a whole lot more money than the city's appraiser says the property is worth. And nobody's itching for a condemnation proceeding to take the land.
If this proves to be true, the West Bristol School Building Committee will have to find another possible location for the $60 million kindergarten to eighth grade school sought by educators.
It could mean another look at the Divinity and Park street site across from Rockwell Park, but it may also mean that officials will take a look at Chippens Hill again, where there are a number of large tracts that might be available.
I don't know how negotiations are going for the former Crowley dealership on Pine Street, where officials hope to build another new school.
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Copyright 2008. All rights reserved.
Contact Steve Collins at scollins@bristolpress.com
16 comments:
Now was there any doubt that the owners would hold out for a ton more money then that property is worth??? No surprise there
What's happening is a couple of highly-placed officials, who were opposed to this site from the start, are spreading rumors. What does the West Side School Building Committee have to say? They're the only ones whose opinion matters.
I hope this is true. The "Scalia site" is a terrible spot for a K-8 west end school.
Va fa napoli Scalia!
Real Estate negotition 101: Do not want it more than they want to sell it or you will over pay
Is Art dragging his feet on the negotiations?
If so, he will be costing us alot of money!
Don't you think City officials would have determined if Scalia wanted to sell and if the price was agreeable before they debated the site? What a colossal waste of time!
That mining operation is FAR from being exhausted .
The potential to claim millions of dollars still exists . The city isn't just trying to buy a piece of land , it's a THRIVING BUSINESS .
If it were mine I would NOT let it go cheaply .
James P. Casey is looking very good to me right now .
I've said all along that these clowns (Scalia and Crowley) have made millions off the taxpayers of the City of Bristol and it looks like they're going to continue the same 'ol same 'ol. Once again these thieves should be giving their land to the City and we name the schools after them.
wow good old mike must be smiling like the cat with the canary in his mouth. But it was also mike who "leaked" the mining rights were far from over. And they are. this is another attempt at scaring the community into supporting throwing renters out of thier homes. I say bring it. so far no facts whatsoever.
They ruined Rockwell Park because of their careless mining during Nicasto's administratration. The City should charge them for the damages they made to the park. It should equal out to the same amount of money they want the City to pay for the pit.
Thankfully Art ward is the mayor, not Ellen Zoppo-Sassu.
"May 19, 2008 9:46 PM"
good point!
Did anything happen at the West Side School Building Committee meeting last night? Did they give any indication that they're getting cold feet about Scalia? It was their recommendation, remember.
Do any large contributors own an "appropriate" piece of land?
At least one!
Need you ask?
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