Nora Grace-Flood Photo
Mt. Calvary Revival Center on Legion Avenue.
Jesus Christ and pre‑K kids will each get a “sliver” of city land — if the sale of two odd-cut, publicly-owned properties next to an adjacent Pentecostal church with plans for a daycare wins final approval.
City government’s Property and Acquisition Disposition Committee (PAD) voted unanimously at a meeting this past Wednesday afternoon to approve the two city sliver lot sales, located at 54 Greenwood St. and 400 Legion Ave., to Mt. Calvary Church of America Inc. The proposed deal now advances for needed approvals by the Livable City Initiative, City Plan Commission, and Board of Alders.
The church requested to buy the properties from the city at the nonprofit rate of $1 per square foot, meaning they will pay $1,280 and $4,426 for those respective lots, in order to build out their space for an upcoming daycare. Because of their status as a church, located at 392 Legion Ave., Mount Cavalry will not pay taxes on the land.
“We feel like this is the right thing to do. It does create a public benefit,” PAD Coordinator Evan Trachten said. “As much as we like to generate taxes, it’s already been off the tax rolls forever.”
One of the lots, 54 Greenwood, already serves as yard space for the church’s emergency exit. 400 Legion Ave., meanwhile, is a paved lot that the church has been using as parking.
“They paved it, fenced it and shovel it when it snows,” Trachten said of the parking lot. “They really should own the parking lot.”
The lots will be useful for parent drop-off and as outdoor space for children to play, Trachten said.
East Rock Alder Anna Festa inquired about the possibility of selling the properties to next-door homeowners. Trachten said the church’s neighbors already have a driveway and parking. The church, which Trachten said has “been a good neighbor” and made improvements to the public pieces of land, proactively asked to buy the properties for a good use.
“The ultimate goal is to get these things sold and out of the city’s control if we’re not using them,” Trachten said of the sliver lots. “This is a better use than someone just expanding their backyard.”
Deputy Economic Director Steve Fontana expressed support for the project while offering a warning: No playgrounds blocking the emergency exit.
DeStefano's de- densification program has been turned into something twisted. Knock down houses and people make money and City gets beat for taxes. Then, City buys them and we make no tax revenue. Now, sell it to a church and it makes no tax revenue. Why should a day care not make money because it is "run" by a church. Non-profit doesn't mean NO PROFIT, so why are we pretending??
What a way to run a city!!