Greece, N.Y. – Wilmorite Corporation has applied for numerous tax breaks for its Greece Ridge Mall development.
According to an analysis provided to 13WHAM News by Monroe County, Wilmorite plans to spend $11.4 million to tear down the Bon-Ton department store and build four or five restaurants, a courtyard and a child’s play area.
Wilmorite has requested mortgage, sales and property tax abatements worth $3.6 million over 30 years. The county estimates the benefit to the community is $18 million. Wilmorite expects to create 136 jobs, but is only required to create 50 as part of its proposed payment in lieu of taxes agreement (PILOT).
The Town of Greece and the Greece Central School District have not returned calls about the PILOT. Wilmorite also has not return a call for comment.
“It’s not being fair. Why should they get a tax break when my taxes keep going up?” said Tim Palmgreen, who lives right behind the mall.
“I wish they’d give us a tax break. We pay almost $7,000 a year in taxes here,” said Palmgreen’s neighbor, Ron D’Augustino. “So it would be nice if they shared the wealth with all the neighbors along here, but I guess to bring in business that’s what you got to do.”
There is skepticism of tax incentives for retail. Greg LeRoy of Good Jobs First said retail jobs don’t pay well. He said tax breaks for one restaurant could hurt another.
“You and I don’t have more money to eat out even though there are more places to eat out,” LeRoy said.
There will be a public hearing about the tax breaks on February 21 at 9 a.m. at Greece Town Hall.
