Dec 15, 2012 2 min read

Regarding your Dec. 9 editorial, “Council correct on TIF,” I say kudos to Mayor Brenda Davis and Washington City Council for voting for tough love in not extending the TIF.

Reportedly, the developer hinted darkly that they may not leave this building open. While this developer may be experiencing greater successes in Pittsburgh and at Southpointe, they may want to focus on these greener pastures. But we surely know they will not close the building, as this action will drastically decrease the value of the building and result in a “fire sale” and a substantial loss to the developer. As savvy real estate professionals, they know that they have two other choices that offer greater potential gains: sell the building at 47 percent occupancy and take a moderate sales price; or refocus rental efforts to achieve a higher occupancy rate.

The council and the mayor are to be congratulated for standing up to private developers who desire to deplete public treasuries for their private gain. One of the regrets I have had is that I didn’t stand up against the TIF that was implemented in South Strabane for Tanger Outlets. I see the damage we have done in allowing Tanger to have a commercial and financial advantage over others like Trinity Point, Strabane Square and Washington Crown Center, all developments that pay their fair share.

My only option today is to boycott Tanger Outlets and support retailers that pay their fair share of local taxes. Gandhi listed seven blunders of the world that lead to disasters. “Commerce without morality” is one of these.

Again, thank you Mayor Davis, Councilman Faust and Councilman Manning for taking a well-informed and moral stand for the citizens of the city.

John Hopper

Washington