March 20th, 2020 by WCBC Radio
The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation is continuing to work toward hiring a new manager to oversee and coordinate the downtown business district and beyond- while at the same time hoping to see the city council eliminate the DDC mall tax. The tax was established in 1979 to cover the debt resulting from converting Baltimore Street into a pedestrian mall. That debt was retired several years ago- but some business and property owners don’t mind the tax as it provides for maintenance and other servces such as snow removal. The tax also covers the salary of the Downtown Mall Manager- a position that is currently vacant. CEDC executive director Paul Kelly has proposed that the soon to be merged county/city economic development operation could cover the cost of the manager- who he foresees having expanded responsibilities…
Mayor Ray Morriss, a member of the CEDC board, said that he is all in favor of abolishing the mall tax as early as next year- however there will need to be a funding mechanism in place to continue to provide services for the downtown area…
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March 20, 2020 at 6:50 am, mac said:
Paul Kelly reaches out with another tentacle to firmly take hold of one more part of the County.
March 20, 2020 at 7:17 am, Ron said:
Do we really need a mall manager and the cedc
March 20, 2020 at 9:58 am, mac said:
When the work is completed there will no longer be a mall, the City will be responsible to maintain the lights, pavement, sidewalks and etc.
If the business owners want to continue to collect monies for their own purposes such as specials or other attractions let them do this on their own. There is no need for the City/County to have any say over what the businesses want to collect for their own use or have any say in how it is spent. If there is no interest then call it over and done with.
If every other part of Baltimore St. is changing why hang on to an antiquated tax/fee structure?
I don’t like the idea of having Paul Kelly collecting money from these private businesses and then making a determination on how it will be spent.
March 20, 2020 at 11:25 am, Ed Dodrill said:
The special tax should be reduced by 75%. Keep a small modest tax to cover to basics like tending to the shrubs and trees, trash and general maintenance. Snow removal should be on the property owners.
March 20, 2020 at 1:06 pm, mac said:
> If the City installs the shrubs and trees as part of the refurb then they are responsible for maintenance and upkeep. This would be the same as any other City street.
Why would business owners be responsible for this City owned property?