"The .PDF is a document I foil-ed from Monroe
County. It lists the Empire State tax credits received by businesses in Monroe
County in 2006 and 2007. Bersin Properties LLC -- Medley's owner -- is the first
entry on the second page. I think people should know that the property is
already receiving significant tax breaks from NYS. If you look at the third
entry on the first page, you see Greece Ridge Mall -- they are receiving over
$3,000,000 in credits per year. This gives us a hint as to how much Medley's
tax credit will be at full build out.
The two JPEGS are screen shots of a search on NYS's campaign finance website for
donations by Bersin LLC (not Adam Bersin, but the company itself). I think
people should know that during 2006 - 2008, when the mall was supposedly
"struggling", the corporation that owned it was making very generous donations
to local politicians and parties."
Empire Zone Tax Breaks:
Bersin Properties LLC Campaign Donations:
The resident has also brought up concerns with the low estimate of the property right now is what the property tax payments are estimated on. Meaning, this PILOT agreement is for a lowball current estimate on what the mall is now, and not on the development of mixed use/hotels/condos/retail/restaurants etc.
"I've attached a PDF of the 2009 property tax bill for the mall -- that is, just
the building minus Sears, Macy's, and the old Bon Ton. The new PILOT covers
this, the old Bon Ton, and a bunch of additional properties (Ridge Dodge, 1665
E. Ridge, a bunch of parking lots). So this is a low ball estimate of the
CURRENT ASSESSED VALUE of the Medley property. Please point out this represents
a low ball estimate of what the mall is "worth" now. Note that the assessed
value as of July 2007 is $28,660,000. Note also that the payment to the Ridge
Culver fire district is based on this amount.
What the town, county, and school district will be accepting as a "baseline"
PILOT payment for this property (plus the additional parcels) under the new
agreement is $323,000. The "normal" tax bill on a property of this value would
be over $1,000,000. So even without considering the value of any "improvements"
on the property, we are accepting a fraction of the taxes that should be paid.
This is pretty outrageous."
2009 Property Tax Bill for Bersin Properties LLC:
In April 2007, Scott R. Congel, purchased the mall, and Bersin Properties LLC as a subsidiary - the Medley Centre is still "owned" by Bersin Properties LLC. You can view the transcript of the COMIDA public hearing in December 2008 by clicking on this link.
