(JANUARY 31, 2007)The empty tavern/restaurant, owned by Gerald F. Dooley Inc., at the corner of Broadway and Cumberland Street , City, has been demolished. Hired to do the work was Franchi Demolition & Excavating, Inc., from Camden, the low bidder, at a cost of $34,400. The city purchased the building in October for $425,000. The intricate details of the purchase were never released to the public.
Supposedly, it is to be the future home of Reel Fish Seafood, now located in Bellmawr.
Newly elected Mayor William James was asked today if he knows anything about the transaction. He said that, as of yet, he hasn’t looked at the arrangements made by former Mayor Kilcourse. And added there have been so many issues that this (Dooley transaction) wasn’t at the top of the list.
In fairness to Mayor James, Councilmen Brophy and Marchese, they have only been in office for a month. I, along with the public, need to give them some time to get familiar with their new job. I expect that eventually everything will be released. And I plan to stay on top of the issue until then.
I am not alone in my quest to learn more. For example, Marcia Atkinson posted the following comment on the website this morning.
“I would like to know why the city didn’t just condemn the property like the Board of Education did to the Highland Park Apartments. Why did they pay so much for a property that was improperly maintained and allowed to sit vacant for so long? Something isn’t right here,” Marcia Atkinson, Gloucester City.
I think we all agree with Marcia; you and I have a right to know how our tax dollars are being spent.
Why we are on the subject of real estate I did some research into how much commercial properties have sold for in Gloucester City in the past two years. *And found the highest paid for a commercial property in our City during that period was $375,000. The property was Billy’s Tavern, which included the liquor license.
In talking with a local Realtor, he said, “Commercial properties in our city do not warrant spending $425,000 for Dooley’s. Nor does it warrant spending $600,000 for Gloucester Plumbing.”
I forgot to mention that the City Council voted last Thursday night to proceed with the purchase of Gloucester Plumbing Supply using UEZ funds. The last price I heard was $630,000. The owner of the Plumbing Supply, Joe Kenney, a member of the UEZ Board plans to construct a new building near the City Water Tower on South Broadway. The intricate details of that arrangement haven’t been released to the public either.
At the same meeting, the council finalized the arrangement to spend $460,000 on preliminary costs to build a new water plant.
Theresa Graham asked the council during the public forum, “Why isn’t UEZ money being spent on that project?”
Mayor James said today that he believes UEZ funds can be used only for projects benefiting the business community. To which I responded, “Won’t the business community benefit from a new water plant?”
Getting back to what the local real estate agent said. The fact supports his statement. Here are some of the commercial properties that have sold over the past four years, selected from a list of 39 properties.
531 Monmouth (Camera Shop) sold for $152,500; 241 South Broadway, (Towne House Florist) $63,000; 115 N. Broadway, (Gloucester Deli) $40,000; 309 S. Broadway (Celtic Tavern), $30,000; 208 N. Broadway, (Sporting Good Store) $77,000; 124 S. Broadway, (Thrift Shop)$183,000; 524 Monmouth, (Jewelry store) $90,000.
Also, 527-529 Monmouth St., (the former 5 & 10) $300,000; 700 Monmouth St.,(Train Station) $300,000; 525 Monmouth St., (Drug Store) $132,500; 240 N. Broadway, (Chase Carpet) $145,000; 242 N. Broadway, (Chase Carpet) $150,000.