Bristol Council approves Tax Incentive For Mill Run Developers

On Monday night, the Bristol Borough Council voted to approve Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) for the Mill Run property project.

Dave Girard (North), Greg Pezza (East), Betty Rodriguez (West), Robyn Trunell (West), Leo Plenski Jr. (South), and Ralph Diguiseppe II (South) voted yes, and Tony Devine (North) voted no. Lorraine Cullen of the East Ward was on vacation and not present to vote.

LERTA allows the developers of the property to exempt the value of improvements to the property from local taxes. The tax rule indicates that the property owners must pay a local tax, but that the tax will not change based on improvements to the property, according to ppta.net. The hope, in skirted taxes, is that property owners may take money saved from the local taxes, and further improve the property.

Concern for giving Dallas Properties LLC LERTA, or the , was voiced by Councilman Tony Devine at the meeting, saying that he was concerned for the ability of the property company to stand by their plans.

Councilman Greg Pezza, a longtime champion for the empty Mill Run property, explained that the plan outlined in the May meeting by Dallas Properties eased his mind and assured him that granting LERTA to the development company would not burn the borough.

Dallas Properties wants to redevelop the multi-story Mill Run property for medical use, likely a care facility that would employ several hundred people.