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Public will get to comment on Kalahari incentives in January Date published: 11/23/2007
BY EMILY BATTLE
The details of a package of tax incentives for the proposed Kalahari Resorts waterpark hotel in Celebrate Virginia will likely come out in early December. At their Dec. 11 meeting, City Council members will publicly receive the details of the performance agreement that will dictate how those incentives are distributed. That agreement will be subject to a public hearing on Jan. 8, before the council takes a vote on it. For now, Economic Development Director Kevin Gullette said the exact numbers on the incentives package are still being negotiated. "Everything is performance-based," he said "and the city is not upside-down," meaning it's not giving away more than it's getting. Gullette said this deal will be similar in form to the incentives package the city set up with Wegman's grocery, which is also building in Celebrate Virginia. That package calls for the city to waive $1.7 million of the grocer's business license taxes over a 10-year period. To start taking advantage of that waiver, Wegman's must generate at least $300,000 in tax revenue, so the city would get at least $130,000 in new money. With Kalahari, Gullette said the city is looking at all of the local taxes it will pay--sales, occupancy, meals, admissions, real estate--as places to offer a rebate. In Fredericksburg, Kalahari is estimating that it will contribute $122.7 million to the regional economy. It anticipates generating $5.9 million a year in new taxes to the city. Based on the most recent assessments, it would take a nearly 15-cent increase in the real estate tax to raise that amount. In addition to the money, Gullette said the city is negotiating in other areas, such as looking for Kalahari to come up with a plan for conserving water on the 49-acre site, which is to include two water parks covering a combined 295,000 square feet. "Absent one, we would be less likely to approve a deal," he said.
that CP was a part of CV. It's now
convenient to join the two when one of
them is a flop so far. It's interesting how
the Silvers want a toll road right through
their "ecotourism" site. It sure will be fun
camping with the relaxing traffic noise in
the background. It's also interesting that
the Silvers failure to attract anything
significant to CV (groundbreakings
anyone?) is now the city's fault.
Realtystory might be surprised who some of us are...some of us are successful business owners/property owners who understand growth. And where did you get we are Onorato supporters??? By the way, the world is not just your side! Maybe you should practice the relaxing side of yoga because you are showing yourself for what you are on these postings, and it is neither being a lady nor being a gentleman. With that, I am through battering with you.
I think "realitystory" has some anger issues and certainly was not taught any manners. He/she has a very high opinion of his/her intelligence. We are all stating our opinions. You are entitled to yours. No one is against growth as long as the area is prepared for all that comes with it. We are not "whining", we are not "crying". And we are not rednecks. And your remarks are rude and arrogant showing a profound lack of manners and respect.
I love you people who think it's only an insult when you're being scolded for not reading or for making wild and baseless assumptions, but your silly paranoia and repeated accusations are not? The world is not just your side. So assume what you want. Try to consider there are those who like progress, and we don't have to be employed by Silver or the city (I'm not, I'm an antique dealer and part-time yoga instructor). And why do I have to be a "he?" A lot of women think Onorato's army is moronic too.
According to easy to find promotions, Celebrate VA has two parts, one part that is finished: the big retail component to which any idiot can see Silver was referring (Central Park), and the second part which is taking way too long, the tourism campus, because our local government is ignorant of how to drive economic development and scared by nay-sayers like those below who wet their pants whenever something is about to be built. The tourism campus, at best, should take a decade to build dummies.
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