Font ResizeA York County judge rejected a request to order a property needed to build the gateway entrance into Sovereign Bank Stadium be turned over to the city's redevelopment authority.
Judge John C. Uhler said the property can't be taken through eminent domain until an evidentiary hearing establishes the value.
Uhler, who was assigned to motions court Wednesday, referred the dispute to the court administrator's office to assign the case to a judge and set a hearing date.
"Unless the parties will give me a stipulation to the factual background, I cannot conjure up a decision," Uhler said.
Property owner Larry Parsley wants $240,000, nearly triple the redevelopment authority's offer of $87,500. The authority is assembling properties for the nearly $30 million stadium project.
In court Wednesday, Parsley's attorney, Kurt Blake, said his client is entitled to at least $151,000 before releasing the property while he continues with the legal process to dispute the value. He said the $151,000 offer was made during negotiations by Blanda Nace, property acquisition manager for the stadium project.
Redevelopment authority solicitor Don Hoyt said the $151,000 offer was withdrawn when it was not accepted by Parsley, forcing the authority to acquire
A court-assigned board of viewers has placed the property value at $101,500, Hoyt said. Parsley can appeal the board of view decision when it becomes official Aug. 28, he said.
"He is only entitled to just compensation," Hoyt said.
Wednesday's court proceedings are not expected to delay the stadium project.
The Parsley property, a former bus station, was not slated to be demolished until next year. It is proposed to be used as a construction management office for stadium contractors. The York County Industrial Development Authority, the stadium's developer and owner, is expected to consider awarding construction bids Sept. 5.
The Parsley property will be the main entrance from North George Street, leading into Brooks Robinson Plaza and the 5,306-seat stadium.
Parsley's property is one of 24 properties slated for demolition in the city's Arch Street neighborhood.
All but three properties have been leveled since July.
A four-story warehouse, owned by the Robin McGinnity Orr Trust, 321 N. Duke St., will be torn down the day after a board of viewers visits the site later this month, Hoyt said.
Orr rejected a $425,000 offer in April, challenging the amount in county court.
The property has been appraised at $226,000 and $200,000. It is assessed at $282,290, according to 2006 tax records.
"We'd like this resolved sooner than later," Hoyt said. "We have an entire footprint that has been demolished, except for a few parcels."
SHORT STOP
What: A key stadium property at 315-317 N. George St.
The issue: Property owner Larry Parsley wants $240,000.
The counter: The redevelopment authority is offering $87,500.
Other: A court-appointed board of viewers says the property is worth $101,500.
