YORK, Pa. — The York-based property development company, Inch & Co. approached Central York School Board officials asking for a tax abatement on the new WellSpan Sports Complex, just one month after the company broke ground on the project.
The request would utilize the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance, or LERTA program, to give developers a 10-year tax break for further property development. The program is intended to incentivize property development, but those in opposition say the project was attractive for developers from the start considering construction has already begun.
One of the main concerns of agreeing to a LERTA is the financial burden on taxpayers in the district.
“While we are not in debt as a school district, we are right on that line. Going into these massive projects like this, we cannot put any burdens on our taxpayers and that’s where this would fall if the project doesn’t go through,” Amelia McMillan, Treasurer for the Central York School District, said during a Financial Committee meeting.
During a Nov. 13 Financial Committee meeting, representatives from Inch & Co. said the tax relief would prove to be critical for the $38 million project but that construction would continue regardless of whether the school agreed to a LERTA.
WellSpan Health is one of the main financial supporters of the project but the development company has also received local and federal funding, including a $150,000 demolition reimbursement grant through the York County Land Bank Authority.
At a school board meeting on Monday, McMillan stated, “Prioritizing the best interests of district residents, a decision was made not to approve or advance the LERTA request.”
The board notified Inch & Co. of the decision in an email on Nov. 14.
Inch & Co. anticipates construction will take 18 months, with the sports complex scheduled to open in early 2026.