As of Sunday, February 19, 2012
© Copyright 2012
Gwinnett Daily Post
Staff Photo: Brendan Sullivan The parking lot across the street from Gwinnett Historic Courthouse in Lawrenceville remains blocked off by owner Emory Morsberger and continues to cause controversy.
LAWRENCEVILLE -- Parking is a hot commodity in downtown Lawrenceville. And one prime lot is causing quite a hubbub in the county seat.
Emory Morsberger, a developer who once owned much of the land around the town square, owns a parking lot just across the street from the Gwinnett Historic Courthouse.
But he has blocked access to it for area restaurant patrons.
"I believe he's using it as his trump card," said Jo Davis, co-owner of Oyster Bay, a restaurant in a building that once belonged to Morsberger.
But for Morsberger, who said he lost $6 million to $8 million in investments in foreclosure at the end of the year, the issue is one of business.
"In the past, the entity that owned the restaurants paid rent to the entity that owned the parking lot that allowed the parking lot mortgage to be paid," he said. "Now they are refusing to pay, so we're stuck. ... I don't have any choice. I'm not a charity."
Davis said her new landlord -- TriGate Capital, based in Dallas -- offered to buy the lot for $475,000, but Morsberger wants more than three times that amount. Morsberger said Davis's numbers were wrong but he declined to say how much he wants for the lot.
"It's basically a business situation where we are stuck between a rock and a hard place," he said. "In the past, the parking lot fit with the retail. Now it doesn't."
Davis said Morsberger's attorney has contacted her about moving her smoker, cooler, heating and air units and even a concrete porch, but she said easements allow them.
A repairman who parked in the lot was treated to a irremovable sticker on his truck, she said, and Morsberger won't allow deliveries to be made to the restaurant's back entrance.
"It's really upset people in the Lawrenceville community," she said. "People don't have a place to park."
She said the dispute has left a smear on the reputation of Morsberger, who worked so hard to revitalize the city square.
But Morsberger said the new absentee landlord is the one hurting the community.
"I love Oyster Bay, but I have to pay the mortgage," he said. "We're trying to do the best we can, but we're stuck in a hard place."
Comments
jcathey185 3 months ago
I think Renting the Lot is a Great Idea, If they need to use the Lot someone has to pay for it, His Property. Its only Business
Rocket1300 3 months ago
Glad I drive a Harley and can park on the sidewalk to get my $.60 oysters.
dentaldawg83 3 months ago
City of Lawrenceville needs to step in somehow...parking is a big deal in that area and the parking deck is helpful, but isn't enough..
John5214 3 months ago
Dental, you have got to be kidding. Oh sure, get the government involved in this too. No! The man owns the property and he can do what he wants with it. If you have to walk a couple extra blocks you should thank the parking lot owner. He is forcing you and others to get a little exercise. You should thank him, not get the city after him.
dentaldawg83 3 months ago
John..point taken,,but it sounds like Morsberger wants/needs to sell that property and the city benefits greatly from the many events that are now held downtown..I'm saying the city should attempt to purchase the property and put it to good use...
Gundoctor1 3 months ago
I don't see the problem here, just buy the lot. The city and county have spent much, much more for much, much less. Or if you don't want to own it do nothing. It is this man's property. If you really want to stir up a hornet's nest try the "taking it for the public good" thing. ha ha!!
R 3 months ago
I wonder what has stopped the lot owner from erecting toll / charge stations? If the mortgage must be paid, you're not going to make any money blocking it off completely...
Must be more to the story - but I doubt I'd sell it if I owned it myself. But one should tread lightly, especially if there are variances and/or future zoning issues to come.
Ashley 3 months ago
Eminent domain and pay him fair market value. Really easy solution.
NewsReader 3 months ago
It's the man's property. He can do with it whatever he wants. The surrounding business establishments appear to expect this man to provide use of his property for their benefit for free. If you need the parking space, either buy it, lease it from the man, or go find another solution of your own. He doesn't have to provide you or anyone else any explanation for his rationale to prohibit anyone from parking there.
liveingwinnett 3 months ago
The restaurant owner sounds like another ungrateful tenant who doesn't understand the situation, and she should really be complaining to her new landlord about the situation or stop paying them rent. I'm sure Morseberger has a mortgage, property taxes and other bills related to the property that he has to pay and the new landlord could care less about GA tenants all the way from Texas as long as they pay rent. She should talk to him about renting space or find another solution and stop complaining.
news2me 3 months ago
Occupy Gwinnett needs to step in help with this situation. The 99% deserve to front row parking!
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