Members of the Save Dolly group are shown at a meeting Thursday inside the Narciso Martinez Cultural Arts Center, where Cameron County Assistant District Attorney Maria Urbina de Ford also provided a legal perspective to the group’s efforts. (Staff photo by Michael Rodriguez)
By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
A number of officials weighed in Friday on the length of time the previous owners of Dolly Vinsant Memorial Hospital had to reclaim the property by paying hundreds of thousands of dollars in back taxes that have accumulated since 2003.
Not everyone agreed.
Such information is vital to the Save Dolly group as they plan to restore the hospital from its current state of disrepair. The group, which was founded by Lionel Betancourt of the San Benito Rotary Club, has already recruited the assistance of the community, ranging from citizens to businesses and local organizations that include, but are not limited to, the Rotary Club and the San Benito Historical Society
The City of San Benito, one of the three entities in which the aforementioned taxes are owed, has aided in the cause by mowing the hospital’s overgrown lawn.
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The next project should be the CP&L Power Plant site. Now there’s a project!
Large plot of land for sure. I am surprised no developers have come forward to buy the property. It could b because of the large amount of taxes owed. No intity wants to give up the tax hold on the property. School District, City, & County all want their money. Every body involved is trying to do something good they just have to keep trying and hopeing for the best
I feel it would be much better to tear down the hospital and sell the property to a retail developer. That part of the city needs retail growth that would include a bank branch, national chain stores, restaurants, and other places that would generate property and sales taxes.
We lag behind cities such as Mission, Edinburg, Pharr, and Weslaco. And the phrase ” we are too close to Harlingen” is not acceptable anymore. Why did Mission, Edinburg, and Pharr triple their size in 20 years? Because they promoted their land assets for retail and commercial growth.
Although Dolly Vinsant has special memories for me, because my dearly departed Mother worked there years ago, we need to focus on the future and generate revenues for our city. And my mother would have agreed as well.
A losing proposition…money pit. If it is going to a nonprofit that doesn’t pay taxes what is the point? Useless busy bodies. FIX THE STREETS ! Where is the swimming pool?