Comments on: Hampshire Club Wants Quick Sale, $14.9M

By: Richie W.

Richie W. — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 19:29:55 +0000

Given the dearth of low to middle income housing in the area, I would love to see consideration given to developing the Hampshire property into low or federally subsidized (Section housing. Let us all consider our less fortunate citizens.

By: a few questions

a few questions — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 08:26:13 +0000

First question on the assessment of the price. 14.9M seems a bit steep for a land in a flood zone next to a school that I am sure is not zoned for any residential or business use. SO the value depends on the zoning, the zoning depends on the local govt, they have all cards in hand including TIME. This beautiful piece of land is hardly used, is a nature preserve in all but name, we can walk, run, cycle through it, there are no risks of any kind in DOING NOTHING and letting the sellers come to their senses. By the way, looks like selling it as a club (which would not be an issue, presumably) is going to be a tough sell too, clubs are not making money in this economy and this neighborhood (no water access). I understand that advisors and lawyers and consultants are already salivating at the hope of extracting fees from small-town officials who don’t know better. Any analysis should NOT start with the preconception (already expressed by small-town officials) that the public NEEDS TO OWN THIS. It should have all options including “do nothing”.

By: Tom Murphy

Tom Murphy — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 21:10:13 +0000

I agree with Ms. Fichtel that purchasing this property requires careful long range planning. Do the local governments really intend to buy this property to run a golf course? Is that the best recreational use of the land? Can more people access the land and enjoy it if playing fields are built? Should some portion of the property be developed for residences to mitigate the effect of taking so large a piece of property off of the tax rolls? Should the property be bought by the Town and have the expense be a Town wide assessment?
Hopefully our elected officials will explore these questions and the myriad of other issues that can arise from such a huge commitment before rushing into a purchase of the club. But it is obviously an opportunity that should be fully explored.

By: rosita fichtel

rosita fichtel — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 18:41:06 +0000

Hampshire is a beautiful property, but what is the bottom line liability to the taxpayer? In addition to the cost of purchasing the property, how will maintenance of the golf course, 7 tennis courts, buildings and equipment, and personnel costs (salaries and benefits) be funded? If the club could not attract or keep enough membership to support the club’s financial viability, how does the Town and Village of Mamaroneck propose to finance these costs…more taxes? With the economy in such a precarious state and school taxes going up, can we afford another new tax? Before a decision is made, an in-depth, short and long range analysis must be done, and presented to the taxpayers.