By Pasha Majdi, Jefferson County Commission President, for the Spirit of Jefferson
The City of Charles Town has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to invest in its downtown, pick the right businesses in keeping with its “historically hip” vision, and make Charles Town a destination. How? By buying the County’s Washington Street properties and expanding downtown Charles Town a full block.
On July 17, the County Commission convened experts, community leaders, and business leaders to hear proposals for the county buildings on Washington Street that will be vacated next year as we move into our new headquarters just a few blocks away. The most compelling vision came from business leaders in Charles Town who said they want to choose the right type of businesses for Charles Town that fit the City’s vision for a vibrant, thriving downtown.
Legal limitations apply to counties, but not cities
As president of the County Commission, I am incredibly enthusiastic about the City’s vision for downtown Charles Town and eager to make it a reality. But under state law, county governments cannot sell directly to select businesses; counties must sell to the private sector through a public auction, eliminating the possibility to select “historically hip” businesses.
State law does allow cities and towns to sell to selected businesses. For whatever reason, this special limitation only applies to county governments. In short, counties can’t, but cities can.
Read more: https://www.spiritofjefferson.com/opinion/article_016fdbcd-b8f5-462f-b121-9dd4a9f7e684.html
