Mayor Zack Tyndall revives topic last examined during March community meeting

By Greg Ellison

(May 6, 2021) The Berlin mayor and Town Council last Monday mulled development plans for Heron Park, including the potential sale of parcels 410 and 57.

Mayor Zack Tyndall revived the issue following a listening session in mid-March when a multitude of opinions were expressed about selling the property or converting the location into an entertainment/recreation venture.

Tyndall asked council members to contemplate the possibilities and asked if members wanted to continue the dialogue with potential development partners.

“We’re not here to decide whether we’re going to sell it or not sell it,” he said.

During the March meeting, the “Better Berlin Group” recommended retaining ownership of Heron Park, so the town could stage events there while having the ability to generate revenue by renting the site for private affairs.

The Better Berlin Group, which was formed by Ann McGinnis Hillyer from State Ventures LLC. and Brad Hoffman from LiveWire Media & Events, suggested the town could benefit from having a stage in the park and possibly expanding the footprint for annual holiday and seasonal events.

Councilmember Jack Orris said the sentiment from the March discussions seemed clear that Berlin should keep parcel 410 but explore the sale of parcel 57.

Councilmember Shaneka Nichols felt less decisive.

“I’m not 100 percent sold on keeping that portion,” she said. “We still have the debt that’s associated.”

Berlin is on the hook for $200,000 annually through 2045 to cancel the debt from purchasing the former Tyson operating plant located on Old Ocean City Boulevard.

“I don’t think we need to sell it to whoever is at the table at the moment but should look and discuss what was brought to us,” Nichols said.

Noting potential buyers have expressed interest in both parcels, Tyndall said the goal is to avoid wasting time for staff or developers.

“I would like to get a sense following that listening session where our heads are,” he said.

Councilmember Jay Knerr championed retaining ownership of parcel 410 and exploring revenue-producing options that were proposed during the listening session in March.

“Ann Hillyer and Brad Hoffman came through and wanted to produce a concert series which would produce revenue the town would benefit from [to] help reduce the debt,” he said. “We should consider selling parcel 57 provided we can get the right project for Town of Berlin.”

Tyndall asked if Knerr preferred to limit consideration of parcel 410 to the Better Berlin Group proposal or weigh additional revenue-producing options.

“I would like to hear all options, but I don’t want it to drag into the summer where we lose the opportunity to make revenue,” Kneer said.

Tyndall opined that potential parcel sales should be contingent on future development adding value for Berlin.

“We’re not selling just for the sake of selling,” he said.

Tyndall said legal counsel should be consulted to confirm parameters for open versus closed negotiations regarding a sale.

“We’ve got to start laying that framework out,” he said. “We need to figure out the best way to structure it so we don’t take away from somebody’s ability to negotiate pricing, which is a contract negotiation and should be done in executive session.”

Tyndall also stressed the importance of being open with the public regarding what options exist.

“We need to start framing that because once this budget is wrapped up in May, I’d like to get right into looking at Heron Park,” he said.