Agreement on University Park Services Reached

Thursday November 30, 2000

SALISBURY, MD---The City of Salisbury and Salisbury State University have reached a collaborative agreement concerning the funding of municipal services for the University Park apartment complex, a public-private partnership on Milford Street which opened this fall.

Salisbury Mayor Barrie Parsons Tilghman and Salisbury State President Janet Dudley-Eshbach made the joint announcement today, both characterizing the agreement as "a good faith effort on both sides. While SSU as a tax-exempt state agency is not legally required to pay for the municipal services, there is a mutual recognition that the City will incur additional costs with the opening of University Park, and the University wishes to pay a fair share of those costs."

In return for the following services--police, fire, ambulance and code enforcement--Salisbury State has agreed to pay the City of Salisbury 50 percent of the annual property tax rate as if the project were privately owned. The first year payment is $38,603.

There are currently 450 residents at University Park, the majority of them SSU students. The complex will eventually house 576 residents.

University Park is managed by Allen & O’Hara Education Services, LLC, under an agreement with Salisbury State.

"Salisbury State has long prided itself on being a good neighbor within the City of Salisbury," said President Dudley-Eshbach. "We look forward to continuing that spirit of collaboration and cooperation with the City and will strive to improve upon that relationship."

"I am extremely pleased that we have been able to reach an agreement with SSU that is equitable to everyone involved, especially the taxpayers of the City of Salisbury," said Mayor Tilghman. "Delegate Norman Conway was instrumental in focusing attention on this issue. Additionally Gov. Glendening has been a tremendous friend to the City of Salisbury in helping to negotiate this agreement. We appreciate their help."

The agreement will now go before the Salisbury City Council for their approval.