Post by Logan on Feb 14, 2016 14:00:38 GMT -6
AUGUSTA — A proposal to consolidate multiple state agencies into leased space within a mile of the State House could have a big effect not just on how those state agencies deliver services, but on the city itself.
Local officials view the proposal’s shift from being a state-owned, to a state-leased, property as a positive because that means the building owner would pay property taxes to the city. But they fear negative consequences if state agencies are relocated to the new site from existing leased space in Augusta, particularly Key Plaza in the heart of the city’s downtown.
However, both Sen. Roger Katz, R-Augusta, and City Manager William Bridgeo said they’ve received informal assurances from state officials that the state would reoccupy Key Plaza with other state agencies if the state Department of Health and Human Services moves out.
“A potential downside is if the consolidation of offices from other buildings in the city, most prominently the Key Plaza downtown, were to cause those buildings to go dark, it would have an adverse impact on how they’re taxed and have a dramatic impact on downtown Augusta,” Bridgeo said. “I’ve had a couple of conversations with people at the state who say their strategy would be to backfill leased space in downtown Augusta with other agencies, that they’d need that space. But nothing is confirmed.”
Read more: www.pressherald.com/2016/02/13/augusta-concerned-by-proposed-state-agency-consolidation/
Local officials view the proposal’s shift from being a state-owned, to a state-leased, property as a positive because that means the building owner would pay property taxes to the city. But they fear negative consequences if state agencies are relocated to the new site from existing leased space in Augusta, particularly Key Plaza in the heart of the city’s downtown.
However, both Sen. Roger Katz, R-Augusta, and City Manager William Bridgeo said they’ve received informal assurances from state officials that the state would reoccupy Key Plaza with other state agencies if the state Department of Health and Human Services moves out.
“A potential downside is if the consolidation of offices from other buildings in the city, most prominently the Key Plaza downtown, were to cause those buildings to go dark, it would have an adverse impact on how they’re taxed and have a dramatic impact on downtown Augusta,” Bridgeo said. “I’ve had a couple of conversations with people at the state who say their strategy would be to backfill leased space in downtown Augusta with other agencies, that they’d need that space. But nothing is confirmed.”
Read more: www.pressherald.com/2016/02/13/augusta-concerned-by-proposed-state-agency-consolidation/