After resolving not to use condemnation for economic development throughout his administration, Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith is considering it to complete a Dundalk revitalization project, officials said.
Smith is nearing his price limits on buildings in the Yorkway apartment complex slated for redevelopment and could soon face pressure to use eminent domain ? land seizures for public benefit ? to complete the acquisition, spokesman Don Mohler said. Baltimore County Councilmembers voted Monday night to buy one building for twice its appraised value but said they might not do so again.
“We?ll do whatever it takes, but we?ve reached our limit on what we?re willing to pay,” Mohler said.
Councilmember Bryan McIntire, R-District 3, voted against the contract to pay a Yorkway property owner $350,000 for a building on less than one-fifth of an acre appraised at $170,000. The county needs to buy nine more buildings to complete the 56-building acquisition, but the three remaining property owners are expected to demand beyond-value prices.
McIntire said agreeing to “grossly excessive” prices sets an unfavorable precedent and urged the administration to condemn.
“If ever there was a legitimate use for it, it?s here,” McIntire said. “Do we have the strength in this administration to do what we have to do and declare condemnation and stop throwing money around?”
Other lawmakers also hesitated to support the purchase. Councilmember Vince Gardina, D-District 5, said the administration “dropped the ball” by not using condemnation.
“I didn?t think we had an option,” Gardina said. “We shouldn?t be held at gunpoint by a property owner.”
County officials said police responded to 3,800 calls for help in Yorkway in 2005 ? a “priceless” use of resources, according to Councilman John Olszewski, D-District 7, who represents Dundalk. Olszewski said he expects the county to recoup its expenses, estimated at $17.2 million, when it sells the property to a private developer.
