Skylands Park Goes Up For Sale

[EHL Historian]

Weichert Realty has a listing for the entire Skylands Complex at $ 1,990,000.

It would probably cost between $ 21,000,000 and $ 28,000,000 to duplicate today.

It would make sense for a person who wants to put a team into a stadium to buy the stadium outright.

As the weeks roll on facts and strong rumors should be reported here.

[BerkshireFan]

It would make sense for a person who wants to put a team into a stadium to buy the stadium outright.


It would? I've always been of the understanding that even the maintainance costs on these stadiums is prohibitive for a minor league operation.

[Bonhomme2010]

A quote from a recent article (http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/01/future_of_skylands_park_in_sus.html)

Millennium Sports, which also owns the 28 acres surrounding the ballpark, pays $121,500 annually in taxes to Frankford Township. The ballpark is assessed at $6.7 million, according to tax records

Having the property listed under 2 million$ sounds like a fire sale. With no steady income coming in, that tax bill weighs a ton! They're probably not looking to make a profit, just stop the bleeding!

It's all about location (a bad one in this case).

[BerkshireFan]

$121,500? Ouch! There are teams that pay less than that in rent.

[EHL Historian]

A semi pro football team played at Skylands Park last fall.

When they tried to renew their lease they were told that no team could use the field.

Does this indicate that a sale might be consumated which will result in the stadium being torn down and the property put to other uses???

[GoCyclones!]

I doubt they would tear it down, as that costs money as well, but maybe they should if they aren't going to use it. The only possible usage I can see for it would be for a NY-Penn League team. This is a nice park but it really is in the middle of nowhere. Maybe back in the days when the farm team really was on a farm it was a good idea but this is really out there.

[EHL Historian]

Skylands Park filed a tax appeal with the state in Trenton.

It had been assessed at almost $ 7 million.
However it has been offered for sale for $1.9 million.

I have no knowledge at this stime as to how long it takes to resolve the tax appeal.

I am guessing that this will not be resolved in time for any new owner of the Stadium to have a definite idea of his taxes prior to the winter thus putting a sale and use of the stadium in jeopardy for next season.

[Texasrangers13]

The fact that they have filed the appeal is great news, especially if it gets approved. In my opinion the best thing that could happen is the Sussex County government step in and help a team get established in exchange for the tax payments.

For example, if the county covers the franchise fee or supports the fee in exchange for the new owners paying the tax upfront.

[Eddie]

The fact that they have filed the appeal is great news, especially if it gets approved. In my opinion the best thing that could happen is the Sussex County government step in and help a team get established in exchange for the tax payments.

For example, if the county covers the franchise fee or supports the fee in exchange for the new owners paying the tax upfront.

Most likely nothing will come of it.

Why would ANY county in this country pay a franchise fee unless they plan to OWN the team.

They will just have to pay the tax. It's part of doing business.

Can it be reassessed? Yes. But it's very unlikely when that is the top tax paying entity in the county.

[Texasrangers13]

Suppose I misspoke there. I was more meaning support the ownership through the franchise "fee" stage. By no means pay it, that would be foolish. With the right owner and franchise, Skylands can and would succeed.

[Eddie]

Suppose I misspoke there. I was more meaning support the ownership through the franchise "fee" stage. By no means pay it, that would be foolish. With the right owner and franchise, Skylands can and would succeed.

Ah. I do agree with that.

[EHL Historian]

A visit to Skylands Park today showed that the entire property has been maintained in very good condition!!!

So far no neglect or vandilism as plagued the Sandcastle in Atlantic City.

The key issue remains "how long will it take the state tax court to resolve the tax appeal?"

[Texasrangers13]

That is great news. I suspect the park will have a 2012 tenant, if it doesn't have a firm lead, it could be in trouble.

[GoCyclones!]

the SWB Yanks will be looking for a temporary home for the 2012 season. I wonder if this is a possiblity and it's not far from Allentown, so as to not disrupt the league travel too badly, and not far from Yankee Stadium.

[EHL Historian]

The stadium doees not meet minor league standards.

Improvements would be required for any minor league team to play in the stadium.

Also the seating capacity of 4500 is too small for a triple A team.