The Guide

Thursday, December 15, 1960, page 2 (of 19)

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Who Really Owns the Old Gables Youth Center Tract?

By MAURICE LABELLE Actual ownership of the former Coral Gables Youth Center property remains clouded as the principals involved refuse to reveal details about the controversial piece of property used by the city for off street parking. The City Commission Tuesday decided to look into the matter following the appearance of attorney Bernard B. Weksler, who charged that the LABELLE city is being "used" and development of the block-long property is being stymied through a tax forgiveness agreement with the owner. Weksler said Tuesday that the County is also losing valuable taxes through the arrangement. Weksler also questioned the validity of the agreement itself since the owner of record and reported ownership are in conflict. Can't Find Answer "I haven't been able to find an answer to that," Weksler told the Commission. Weksler said he searched city, c[ou]nty and state records—all indicating that Florida National Realty Co., Inc., which purchased the property from the War Memorial Youth Association and the City for $351,600, was and still is the owner of record. But the agreement to use the property for off street parking in lieu of taxes was made with James Sottile Jr., who presented himself as the owner on Nov. 1, 1958. "I feel that the city has been used ... and it's time the city not be used," Weksler told the Commission. The 10-year lease in reality is a 30-day lease, since the lease is cancellable on 30-days notice from either party, he said. Mayor John M. Montgomery questioned Weksler on his motives for opposing the lease. Opposes Lease Weksler told Montgomery he opposed the lease because it stopped development of the property and resulted in a tax loss of $5000 to $6000 to the county. The discussion then turned to City Attorney Ted Semple, who negotiated the lease. "The property is owned by James Sottile Jr.," Semple told Weksler emphatically. Semple said he negotiated the off street parking lease with Sottile's attorneys and that he would take their word that Sottile owned the property. "I have never placed the city in jeopardy," Semple said. Weksler and Semple then squared off on the motives for the 10-year lease, with Weksler charging that it was a gimmick to provide tax exemption and Semple countering that it was necessary to make the agreement legal and binding. Semple said that the 40 percent off street parking requirement was blocking development and not speculation. Weksler said he had written to Florida National Realty Co., Inc. to determine if they owned the property. The firm gave him a 'mind your own business' type of answer, and questioned his reason fo wanting to know, Weksler indicated. (Wednesday, Weksler said he received another reply from the Jacksonville DuPont firm telling him that they did not feel free to give out any information without Sottile's consent). What's Bothering You? "I don't understand what is bothering you about the ownership of the property," Commissioner Frank Kerdyk told Weksler at Tuesday's meeting. "I don't think it behooves the city to be engaged in a lease with a person who doesn't own the land," Weksler replied. "Do you think we should spend $200,000 to buy property ... ?" Montgomery asked Weksler. Montgomery estimated it would cost this much to replace the temporary parking facility being used by the city in exchange for taxes. "I have no objections to the city entering into a bona fide contract with the bona fide owner," Weksler told Montgomery. "Let us take the matter under advisement," the mayor said. Meanwhile, Sottile told the TIMES Wednesday that he is the owner of the property, but declined to make any other clarifying statement for publication. Fred Hartnett, mayor of Coral Gables at the time the old Youth Center tract was sold to Florida National Realty Co., Inc., had some comment on the TIMES story when questioned about the ownership. Hartnett, who, according to a letter on file with the city from Sottile to former city manager Ira Willard, bought the land from Sottile, charged that last week's TIMES story about the property and ownership was "subjective." "What difference does it make who owns it?" said the former mayor. "What a man does with his property is his business," Hartnett added. "I am not the owner of the property," said Hartnett. Who initiated the proposal that the land be used by the city for off street parking? TIMES Story A TIMES story dated April 4, 1957, reported that a spokesman for Sottile had announced that the property was available to the city for any purpose it cared to use it for. This followed a long controversy over removal of the old Youth Center building. "Since we purchased the land last year, it has been Mr. James Sottile's understanding that the city may use it for any purpose that would not interfere with eventual building on it," the unidentified spokesman was quoted as saying. Willard, who was city manager at the time, said he had no recollection of a formal offer being made by Sottile at that time. It was his recollection, Willard said, that he approached Sottile on the off street parking proposal before the lease agreement was negotiated with Semple in 1958 following a meeting of the Traffic and Parking Committee of the Chamber of Commerce. "No, I'm not interested," Willard quoted Sottile as saying when he was contacted about the plan. Later, Willard said, Sottile agreed to go along. "I considered he was the owner. I had no reason to doubt," Willard said. Attoney's Responsibility Determination of ownership is the city attorney's responsibility, Willard pointed out. On Nov. 1, 1958, the agreement was signed between the city and Sottile. The city was to pay "rent" equivalent to the taxes and negotiated to have the county forgive taxes. Has it been and is it a good deal? Weksler, pointing to the tax loss to the county, alleged loss of parking meter revenue, slow up of development and subsequent added tax loss claims it isn't. Those who favor the arrangement point to revenue to the city over the tax loss and provision of parking to employes, employers and others in the downtown area as a plus.

CHESS Chess Club Coral Gables

400 ANASTASIA AVE. MON. & FRI. EVES. 7 to 11 P.M.

1 CARAT Total Weight $225.00 OVERHOLT JEWELERS

5706 SUNSET DRIVE Crossroads Bldg.

Students Can't Sell From Door To Door

Door to door sale of magazines by students at Coral Gables High School has been nixed by the City. The fund-raising proposal got thumbs down as have all other similar requests in the recent past.

Mr. Mario's Beauty Salon

has created an exciting new look. With the ultimate in modern equipment, we are ready to serve your every beauty need. Miss Beadie, formerly of Mr. George and Miss Evelyn, formerly of Curlee's, both expert color technicians, have joined our staff. MAY WE HAIR FROM YOU! MR. MARIO'S Beauty Salon 141 GIRALDA AVENUE HI 4-1085

Two Shoppers Report Losses From Cars

Two Coral Gables women had valuables estimated at $227.50 stolen from them while shopping in South Miami Friday afternoon, Dec. 2. Evelyn Ren, 931 Placetas, told South Miami Police her car, parked in the Bank of South Miami parking lot, was broken into. She said a transistor radio and a flashlight were taken from the glove compartment. The loss was estimated at $74.50. Loretta Baker, 4820 Renda St., complained to police about the theft of a wallet from her purse which contained $143 in cash and valuable papers. The purse was found in Stevens' Market in a shopping basket.

Car Moves; Tot Injured

An 11-month-old child was treated for minor injuries at Doctors' Hospital and released Saturday morning after being struck by a City of Coral Gables vehicle. Carlos Falla, of 3704 Anderson Rd., was knocked down when the car he was leaning on in a driveway near the Girl Scout Hut near 3900 Granada Blvd. pulled out. The driver, William Albert Wiggins, 29, of 11700 SW Eighth St., was not charged.

Join our 1961 Christmas Club now

FLORIDA NATIONAL Bank at Coral Gables MEMBER: FEDERAL DEPOSIT INSURANCE CORPORATION, FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM, FLORIDA NATIONAL GROUP 3780

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