American Dream

From Friday's Sun

Proposal to hire private planner in Crisfield draws wide criticism

Company could be given control over waterfront

By Chris Guy
Sun Staff

July 28, 2005, 8:59 PM EDT

Quotes:

Business and community leaders in Crisfield are up in arms over a proposed agreement they say would turn over virtually all land use decisions in Maryland's southernmost city to a private development firm headed by a former state delegate and a Delaware developer.

According to critics, a management pact between the city and the for-profit company, Crisfield Associates LLC, would allow the company to control "every last gem of waterfront" until 2014
if officials agree to relinquish planning authority.

Under terms of an 8-page document prepared by the company and leaked to business leaders last week, Crisfield Associates would become the city's "exclusive partner, adviser and master developer of present and future City-owned and City-controlled land."

Publicly-owned land outside the city limits that could become part of Crisfield's revitalization plan includes the Crisfield-Somerset County Airport, Janes Island State Park and a public golf course, according the document.

Opponents want the town to appoint a nonprofit management group to oversee downtown revitalization. "If you come up with a plan to rule the world," Phoebus said, "don't be surprised when people are upset."