SkylinesBest
Jan 12, 2004, 6:26 PM
Morrisville plots its 'central core'
Amanda Jones
MORRISVILLE - The Morrisville Town Board has set aside $5 million to begin buying parcels of land within an 80-acre tract that's envisioned to become what the one-time crossroads has never had - a downtown.
The town plans to buy up the land and then lease it to developers who would build commercial, residential and mixed-use projects. The project is ambitious, says Mayor Gordon Cromwell. "That's why it's not going to happen overnight. But if we don't start it, it will never happen."
Town Manager John Whitson has been authorized to begin negotiating with landowners in a targeted zone between Chapel Hill Road and Town Hall Drive. He's made offers to two property owners who own three parcels needed for road improvements.
The $5 million authorized by the town board represents the tax value of the 80 acres. Town officials say they realize the cumulative purchase price will exceed that amount and that bonds will be issued over time to cover the costs.
"This (the $5 million) gives us a starting point to start negotiations with property owners in downtown," Whitson says.
Much of the 80-acre zone that's been mapped for a central business district is undeveloped.
Some older homes line the railroad tracks, but many suffer from neglect. Most of the town's retail offerings are in new developments outside the 80 acres.
The first properties targeted for purchase will be vacant land with willing sellers. The second target will be tracts with vacant structures. The third target will be land owned by senior citizens who may be willing to work out a life estate or reverse mortgage agreement.
"We are not going to throw anyone out of their house," says Philip Culpepper, planning director for Morrisville.
"We view this as a slow process," Whitson says. Land acquisitions alone could take 10 years to 20 years.
Located near Research Triangle Park, the airport and major thoroughfares, Morrisville has grown fast. The population grew by 409.6 percent between 1990 and 2000 and stood at 6,679 in 2002, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Some Morrisville business owners say they like the idea of establishing an identifiable central business district.
Amanda Jones
MORRISVILLE - The Morrisville Town Board has set aside $5 million to begin buying parcels of land within an 80-acre tract that's envisioned to become what the one-time crossroads has never had - a downtown.
The town plans to buy up the land and then lease it to developers who would build commercial, residential and mixed-use projects. The project is ambitious, says Mayor Gordon Cromwell. "That's why it's not going to happen overnight. But if we don't start it, it will never happen."
Town Manager John Whitson has been authorized to begin negotiating with landowners in a targeted zone between Chapel Hill Road and Town Hall Drive. He's made offers to two property owners who own three parcels needed for road improvements.
The $5 million authorized by the town board represents the tax value of the 80 acres. Town officials say they realize the cumulative purchase price will exceed that amount and that bonds will be issued over time to cover the costs.
"This (the $5 million) gives us a starting point to start negotiations with property owners in downtown," Whitson says.
Much of the 80-acre zone that's been mapped for a central business district is undeveloped.
Some older homes line the railroad tracks, but many suffer from neglect. Most of the town's retail offerings are in new developments outside the 80 acres.
The first properties targeted for purchase will be vacant land with willing sellers. The second target will be tracts with vacant structures. The third target will be land owned by senior citizens who may be willing to work out a life estate or reverse mortgage agreement.
"We are not going to throw anyone out of their house," says Philip Culpepper, planning director for Morrisville.
"We view this as a slow process," Whitson says. Land acquisitions alone could take 10 years to 20 years.
Located near Research Triangle Park, the airport and major thoroughfares, Morrisville has grown fast. The population grew by 409.6 percent between 1990 and 2000 and stood at 6,679 in 2002, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Some Morrisville business owners say they like the idea of establishing an identifiable central business district.