Apparently bargain hunting instincts extend beyond home supplies, apparel and snacks because the discount retail chain is in the midst of striking a deal with the Town of Ledyard to make some improvements to their property, but not pay taxes on the increased value until 2016, potentially.
The Finance Committee voted Wednesday to relieve Ocean State Job Lot from the additional tax burden on forthcoming repairs after recieving a list of scheduled improvements to take place over the next two years.
If approved OSJL will receive a tax abatement (on the value of the improvements only) while they are being implemented and for two years afterward. If any of the planned improvements are not made, all the taxes will become due and payable.
The Ocean State Job Lot mall and parking lot have been the subject of longstanding complaints and town officials have been trying to get OSJL to improve the buildings and parking lot for years, according to Mayor John Rodolico. The scheduled improvements (plus contingency funds) come to $512,200 and he said he does not know why they finally relented.
OSJL’s assessed value is $2,152.080 and pays $60,187.60 in taxes every year. According to Mayoral Assistant Mark Bancroft, most of the “improvements” amount to no more than routine maintenance and the town will only lose approximately $3,000 taxes over the entire timeframe. He said repair and seal of parking lot plus lighting is about the only thing that would add value to the property.
“I’m just happy they’re doing something,” said Councilor Sharon Wadecki of the property.
These are the planned improvements:
Phase One, 2012
Paint and repair pylon
Enclose with field stone wall
New tenant panels
New OSJL panel
Repair, seal and stripe parking lot
Remove small store walkway
Upgrade planters
Remove mildew and paint back of center
New parking lot lighting
Phase Two, 2013
New OSJL canopy
New OSJL fascia sign
Add face cap to columns
Add panels to store front
Repaint building
Clean and resurface sidewalks
Remove paving in future out parcel
Seed and plant
Phase Three, 2014
New canopy on former supermarket and shops
Repave loading area as needed
tax break for perhaps four years... I have keep my home up to par.. Can I get a tax break for a few years??? If they can't afford it then put the property up for sale and let someone who can purchase it!
uite respectable!
The place has been a disgusting wreck for many years, and I mean the whole shopping center NOT just OSJL. The parking lot has holes and divots in it big enough to break a spring or an axle. OSJL looks pretty good in Groton, and pretty good in Griswold, there is no reason, and no excuse for the Ledyard OSJL to be the infected pimple on the face of Ledyard.
NO "Free Rides" if you wanna know more about the "owners" ask the past businesses that rented from them... Let them sell it and get someone in there that can make it work!!
Those of you who can't wait for CVS... hold onto to your seats boys and girls there is another one down the street..wow. But we did get another stop light within a 1/2 mile stretch of road...yeah. Then if you look 20 feet past CVS there is the old GF school that the town has just let run into dis repair, but I do like the fact that they allow Jazzercise in a building that is most likely filled with unfavorable insulation, hint hint. But have no fear someone is more likely to buy Alice Acres and put in maybe 15-2- houses or Condo's and or a Walgreens. Sorry so sarcastic lived here all my life and just hate to see this once, sleepy little Mayberry turned into slum between Groton and Norwich. Make the owner of OSJL (Who is the actual owner?) clean up the once (1965) nice shopping area. Lets volunteer to help Kartway, get off our butts and get to work. Stop looking for handouts from the government.
or Did this guy get to have a "hold your breath with arms crossed over his chest until he got his way" moment? I agree with Corey - hold this business to the same high standards that have been applied to anyone trying to open a business in Gales Ferry/ Ledyard.
Groton gave all kinds of breaks (and even changed their championship quality golf course) to Pfizer.. Now Groton has a gazzilion square feet of empty eyesore buildings, with no likely tenants. Giving stuff away NEVER leads to a prosperous municipality (not in my memory and Ive been here a LONG time) Make OSJL pay their own way or leave. It really is just that simple.. If they were to bulldoze that complex and leave a gravel lot, it would be an IMPROVEMENT over what it is now.