https://www.wktv.com/content/news/Utica-might-take-building-

[Clipper]

How does a building end up being co-owned by the city and another party? I don't understand what circumstances that would result in a developer owning 20% of a building, while the city government owns the remaining 80%. We have had several instances of city government on the Virginia side of Bristol dabbling in real estate and in all cases it has not turned out well. Taxpayers are on the hook for millions of dollars that were spent on a couple of instances where the city BOUGHT land for millions and expected development and the resulting returns have never been realized. The city is deeply indebted as a result of the loans taken or bonds that they used to purchase the real estate.

Is Utica playing loosely with eminent domain? I wonder about their involvement in the property for the hospital, and there were questions raised during the arterial reconstruction also was there not?

Thankfully our local city and county government here on the Tennessee side have not been caught up in the trend where government purchases land and then loses their ass on it. Our only disputes have been over tax breaks given to developers of new properties and shopping areas.

[clarencebunsen]

That is a strange ownership situation.

[Deleted]

Charlestown Mall is the same thing. Part is owned by Frankfort and part by Utica. Seems silly to me. I can't see why this guy cannot buy the remaining 80% of the building in question unless the City wants to be the developer for their own vision of Utica.

[Clipper]

I would think it would be beneficial for them to sell the developer that property, gain the revenue from the sale plus put the building back on the tax rolls.

Is that the building that used to house the offices for AAA Auto Club? It looks familiar. I think I went there once to AAA's office and it was in the rear of the building.

[Deleted]

That's right I also thought it housed the AAA office and that it was in the rear.

[clarencebunsen]

It is the Northland Communications building, 317 Court St. A vacant building with a parking lot on each side. Not in the hospital footprint. A willing buyer. Why can't this be resolved in an afternoon?

[Ralph]

      That is the old annex building for Oneida National Bank, it's connected to the old Main Office building on Genesee Street.
I can't imagine how that ever became a two owner property. I recall something about it from years ago but don't remember what it was all about.  I don't care if it's City owned or Urban Renewal owned, the city shouldn't be involved in the real estate business as much as it seems to be.  Eminent Domain seems to be another tool in their box instead of what it was meant for.  "Won't sell?  No problem, we'll take it, tough crap" .

[BHU]

He's a willing buyer but he's not one of the boys, so he can't have it. Business as usual.

[Clipper]

Well, in the old days in order to play you had to live East of Genny and have an Italian last name? Is that still as true as it was in the 50's and 60's?