Vacant Buildings and homes Taxes

[cheektowaga]

We all want to see more income coming into the town that ultimately should reduce our taxes, correct? How about not lowering taxes on commercial property when it does not have a tenant. It seems that when a commercial building sits empty the taxes are lowered...and when they rent it or sell the taxes go back to a normal rate. Maybe if the Town would hold these properties at a normal tax rate we wouldnt have all these empty buildings?

[WNYresident]

More income is one approach but so is less spending on labor. People want to see changes NOW not 15 or 20 years from now.


If you hold commercial properties at the normal rates it would push the owner to get the buildings rented quicker.

[300miles]

We all want to see more income coming into the town that ultimately should reduce our taxes, correct? How about not lowering taxes on commercial property when it does not have a tenant. It seems that when a commercial building sits empty the taxes are lowered...and when they rent it or sell the taxes go back to a normal rate. Maybe if the Town would hold these properties at a normal tax rate we wouldnt have all these empty buildings?

Similar concept as wanting to charge more taxes for surface parking lots downtown. If parking lots paid the same taxes as a fully used commercial building, then maybe they would actually put a building on them.

[Wow in lanc]

A lot of empty buildings still have rent coming in on them. Many times the leases outrun the life of the business leasing it if the company is still in business they are still responsible for rent even if that location is closed. I can recall a conversation i once had with Nate Benderson he claimed at some of his empty locations he will have rent coming in for years He really didn't care if it was empty or not he was still getting rent revenue. town lower taxes more profits for Nate

[grump]

Similar concept as wanting to charge more taxes for surface parking lots downtown. If parking lots paid the same taxes as a fully used commercial building, then maybe they would actually put a building on them.

Yeah, let's get rid of all the parking downtown. That will make it especially popular as a business and tourist location. Just ask the hopelessly benighted Donn Esmonde. Then he and his city only buddies can sit around and spin straw into gold to make a living. Idiots all!

[300miles]

Yeah, let's get rid of all the parking downtown. That will make it especially popular as a business and tourist location. Just ask the hopelessly benighted Donn Esmonde. Then he and his city only buddies can sit around and spin straw into gold to make a living. Idiots all!

The most successful destinations in Buffalo like Elmwood, Hertel, and Allentown don't have much parking. Go Figure.

[WNYresident]

A lot of empty buildings still have rent coming in on them. Many times the leases outrun the life of the business leasing it if the company is still in business they are still responsible for rent even if that location is closed. I can recall a conversation i once had with Nate Benderson he claimed at some of his empty locations he will have rent coming in for years He really didn't care if it was empty or not he was still getting rent revenue. town lower taxes more profits for Nate

How does one change that? Do snow birds get a discount on their property taxes when they stay in Florida for 6 months? The house is empty.

[Riven37]

Blow them up this will solved the town problem and us tax payers too.Attachment 4498

[4248]

Good point - If a building appears to have empty stores/office spaces - and they are actually rented - why would their tax rates be lowered ?

Doesn't the owner have to inform the assessor if they are actually rented or not ?

Why would their tax rate/value be lowered just because they are or appear to be vacant ?

[grump]

The most successful destinations in Buffalo like Elmwood, Hertel, and Allentown don't have much parking. Go Figure.

I suppose I could point out that Elmwood, Hertel and Allentown aren't downtown (unless one considers the entire city "downtown"). But why bother.

[300miles]

I suppose I could point out that Elmwood, Hertel and Allentown aren't downtown (unless one considers the entire city "downtown"). But why bother.

...... So?

[grump]

...... So?

As I said before...why bother.

[Electric Eye]

The taxes on the Buffalo Niagara Airport property assessed at $220 million are only $21K....there is some 18yr settlement agreement that started in 2000? (I can't read the whole article)

Mean while the Walden Galleria pays $1.88 million in taxes on a assessed value of $94 million.


What did the town board negotiate with the NFTA in 2000? and should the town start negotiating now for when it expires?

[WNYresident]

When does the NFTA contract expire? $220,000,000.

If we use the Galleria as example..

$94 million at $1.88 million in taxes the Airport will start off at $4,400,000 before negotiations even begin.

And with that windfall we still need to review everything and adjust accordingly. Just because the money is there doesn't mean us property owners need to spend more than required. The property owners of Cheektowaga are not a job employment agency for the politically connected.

What social club negotiated $21k in taxes on something worth millions of accessed value?

[cheektowaga]

Im guessing that since they are a municipal agency that they are exempt.

When does the NFTA contract expire? $220,000,000.

If we use the Galleria as example..

$94 million at $1.88 million in taxes the Airport will start off at $4,400,000 before negotiations even begin.

And with that windfall we still need to review everything and adjust accordingly. Just because the money is there doesn't mean us property owners need to spend more than required. The property owners of Cheektowaga are not a job employment agency for the politically connected.

What social club negotiated $21k in taxes on something worth millions of accessed value?