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Routine Maintenance(Cumberland Times-News (Cumberland, Md.) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Dec. 2--CUMBERLAND -- After more than a year, tenants at William Booth Tower are still waiting for a change in ownership and building renovations. At the last City Council meeting, a request from the Hampstead Companies of San Diego for a five-year extension on the PILOT agreement was discussed. The city is in a 10-year agreement where payment, in lieu of taxes, will be equivalent to $200 per unit for a 10-year period. The city decided to not grant the five-year extension. However, the PILOT agreement will not take effect until the renovation project is funded, said City Administrator Jeff Repp. Hampstead is in the process of trying to receive funding, he said. "They've gone two rounds for low-income tax credit for financing but both have gone unsuccessful," Repp said. "It's a competitive process, a statewide competition." Repp said Hampstead puts together a package that is then sent to Annapolis. The application is reviewed and a point system determines which projects are awarded credits. Repp said Hampstead asked for the PILOT extension to try to make the essential package more attractive to lending agents and to help make the project financially viable and practical. "However, they do believe they have a viable project," Repp said. Hampstead plans on buying William Booth Tower, 220 Somerville Ave., currently owned by the Salvation Army. "They have a rather extensive plan for improvements," said Maj. Sue Dewan, corps officer for the Salvation Army. "I know they're planning on rearranging the entrance, redoing the commons area on the first floor and redoing some of the landscaping." Dewan said Hampstead also plans to add balconies to the efficiency apartments, update the building to be more energy-efficient, and replace kitchen cabinets and bathroom fixtures where needed. A barbecue pit and activities area is also planned. However, the building isn't in dire need for the updates and will be able to withstand the waiting period until funding comes through, she said. "I think the building is in very good condition as it is now," Dewan said. "But what will happen (when the renovations are done) is it will be more attractive, it will have more amenities for the residents that live here. Most of the renovations have to do with making the tower more enjoyable to live in and provide more activities for the tenants." The seven-story, 110-unit complex serves low-income and/or disabled seniors and some young and disabled people. The more than 79,000-square-foot complex was constructed in 1977, according to the Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation. Contact Tess Hill at [email protected]. To see more of the Cumberland Times News or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.times-news.com/. Copyright (c) 2008, Cumberland Times News, Md. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email [email protected], call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA. |