The Center and Mayor White reach an agreement

Well, they're on the way, at least. The City and the Center have agreed to work towards a final agreement to sell the City’s residual interests in the property for $6 million, to be paid over time with interest. The agreement covers 6.72 acres of property, most of which is covered by existing leases. The agreement would have to be approved by City Council and the Boards of the Center and its Foundation.

According to the President of the Foundation, David Baldwin, “These terms are fair and allow us to continue and expand the important mission of the Center in serving our citizens with special needs.”

“I deeply sympathize with family members and loved ones who have been concerned about the future of the residents of the Center, and expect this agreement to allow the Center to expand its services because there are so many citizens with special needs in our community,” said Mayor White. “The principles of this agreement can be applied on a non-discriminatory basis to other social service providers who have made capital improvements and provided services on City lands over decades.” Perhaps he's subtly referring to another center that might be in danger?

Both the Center and Mayor White used experts to assist in determining the value of the land and also existing leases covering the property, and accounted for the intention of the City to dedicate the property to public services, as opposed to commercial development.