Towson property sale advances without criticism

A proposal to significantly cut the sale price of a county-owned property in Towson that’s being sold for private development sailed through a Baltimore County Council work session on Tuesday. Only the head of Towson’s Chamber of Commerce spoke during a public hearing on the plan, which involves the sale of property at the corner of York Road and Bosley Avenue to developers Caves Valley Partners. Chamber director Nancy Hafford said she “really hopes” the council approves the change in sale price from $8.3 million to $6.9 million. “It’s one of the main entrances to Towson and it looks terrible, and it’s looked terrible for a long time,” Hafford said. A council vote on the contract is scheduled for Monday. The property has housed a fire station and public works facility, but in 2012 County Executive Kevin Kamenetz decided to put it up for sale. Caves Valley was the winning bidder, and proposed turning the site into a commercial development with one-story retail shops and a Royal Farms gas station and convenience store. Many neighbors opposed that plan, saying it didn’t suit the property’s nature as a “gateway” into downtown Towson. Ultimately, Caves Valley agreed to drop the convenience store and gas station — but also sought to renegotiate the sale price. Under the revised contract, Caves Valley would actually pay about $5 million; the company will get a credit of about $1.9 million against the sale price by agreeing to forgo future property tax credits it would be eligible for. Officials with Caves Valley Partners attended Tuesday’s public hearing but did not speak. In an interview, Arthur Adler, a partner in the firm, said he’s optimistic the project will finally be able to move forward once the council votes on the revised contract. held without bail pending trial, and he could not be reached for comment. The public defender’s office, listed as representing him in the case, declined to comment.