A Question About Roy’s Transmission and Auto Care’s Property Tax Bill in Bishop Arts
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We love the Bishop Arts District and every piece of real estate surrounding it. We love us those craftsmen bungalows and all the cute little cottages to be had for under $300,000. In fact, we fetch most of our Tuesday $200Ks from this part of town.
But then there’s Roy’s Transmission and Auto Care. Roy Smith has been fixing cars at this location for 18 years, and making a living this way for more than 40 years. Not sure I follow that, but ok. I know we all need places to get tires fixed but really, a tire shop in the middle of Bishop Arts?
Now the city wants to buy Smith’s tire shop property to build a way cool entrance to Bishop Arts, including a children’s playground. Smith has no objections except the green kind: he wants to be paid enough money to relocate and get another business. He says he has had his property appraised at $775,000 but the city is offering him “only” about $205,000, according to WFAA-TV, and this price comes after deducting for cleaning and clearing costs.
Lots of tires to move, I guess. So if the property is worth a whopping $775,000, let’s see what Roy has been paying in taxes on this gold mine?
$54.62 on property valued at $2000? Surely something is wrong here. How come the city valued this at $2000, and how could someone appraise it for $775,000?
Smith said no way to the $205,000 deal, now he says the city is harassing him. They are bugging him to clean up his property, mow his grass and remove some cars.
Wow, imagine that: they want him to keep the place tidy. Isn’t that the whole point of what code enforcement does?
The department said it doesn’t use its power to bully people into selling their property, but Smith kind of thinks they are, at least until he sells. But I say someone whose been paying taxes on a property valued at $2000 to get ten, no wait, one hundred times that amount is one nice fat payday check.
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Those are property taxes for BPP, not real estate. The real estate is valued at $109,760. Still pretty low for someone who thinks it is worth $775k.
Those are property taxes for BPP, not real estate. The real estate is valued at $109,760. Still pretty low for someone who thinks it is worth $775k.
Thanks Derek. Yes, it is low for $209,000 too!
Thanks Derek. Yes, it is low for $209,000 too!
He has no obligation to sell, just because the city wants it. There's nothing wrong with his asking price. If the city doesn't see the value, perhaps a smart developer will be interested in this unique property that has road frontage on all 4 sides, and is essentially an entire block.
Property taxes are supposed to be determined by market value, but DCAD uses an automated system and are usually off the mark. That's why there is a such a large market for Property Tax Consultants.
He has no obligation to sell, just because the city wants it. There's nothing wrong with his asking price. If the city doesn't see the value, perhaps a smart developer will be interested in this unique property that has road frontage on all 4 sides, and is essentially an entire block.
Property taxes are supposed to be determined by market value, but DCAD uses an automated system and are usually off the mark. That's why there is a such a large market for Property Tax Consultants.
If the City of Dallas wants to promote the Bishop Arts District and Oak Cliff, they should buy OakCliff.com from me. It may be available for sale or joint venture… 🙂
If the City of Dallas wants to promote the Bishop Arts District and Oak Cliff, they should buy OakCliff.com from me. It may be available for sale or joint venture… 🙂
Existing business owners should not be forced to give up their properties and their livelihood just to make it a little prettier in Bishop Arts. For a business owner it is LOCATION, LOCATION, LOATION. Why should he have to move unless the city can make it worth his while to do. Bishop Arts grew up from very little to what it is now with his business right next store. His business has not hurt the area yet. The whole point of Bishop Arts is that it is a funky little spot in North Oak Cliff, if we knock down or take over all the old business to make way for new stuff, the area will lose its appeal. The city almost ruined Deep Elum when they tried to pretty it up years ago and ran off most of the people who had been going there for years (and the businesses they were supporting). Let’s not do the same with Bishop Arts just so we can attract a few more people in the short run. I think the Bishop Arts district is large enough now, let's start working on the adjoining areas to make all of Oak Cliff a destination, but let’s keep the character. People visit or move to North Oak Cliff for the character. Auto shops next to restaurants is part of the mix. If the city wants to spend a bunch of money on a "gateway" to make BA prettier, why not spend it fixing up the stuff they already own that needs up keep.
On the other hand, it would be nice if some existing business (and some of the new ones) made a little effort to clean up their act, but don't force them out or start jamming code enforcement down their throats for stuff the city never enforced for the last 20 years. There are plenty of more blatant code violations in North Oak Cliff that should be getting attention than that.
His property taxes, which you have wrong on here by the way as you only looked at the value of his inventory/furnishings/equipment are based on the value DCAD puts on the property. If someone just offered me DCAD's value of my home I would not want to be forced to move either. Give the guy a break he has invested 18 years of his life building a business at that location. He cannot just pack up and move, especially when the city is eliminating all the inexpensive properties in the area that are zoned for his needs. With the Bishop/Davis plan he could not move to any existing Davis street address, only grandfathered businesses are allowed. I support the Bishop/Davis plan, but let’s let existing business stay put.
PS: I really like getting my car fixed while I run over to get a meal and a little shopping in Bishop Arts. You cannot do that in Highland Park or in Uptown. I also like not paying $50+ an hour for repairs.
Existing business owners should not be forced to give up their properties and their livelihood just to make it a little prettier in Bishop Arts. For a business owner it is LOCATION, LOCATION, LOATION. Why should he have to move unless the city can make it worth his while to do. Bishop Arts grew up from very little to what it is now with his business right next store. His business has not hurt the area yet. The whole point of Bishop Arts is that it is a funky little spot in North Oak Cliff, if we knock down or take over all the old business to make way for new stuff, the area will lose its appeal. The city almost ruined Deep Elum when they tried to pretty it up years ago and ran off most of the people who had been going there for years (and the businesses they were supporting). Let’s not do the same with Bishop Arts just so we can attract a few more people in the short run. I think the Bishop Arts district is large enough now, let's start working on the adjoining areas to make all of Oak Cliff a destination, but let’s keep the character. People visit or move to North Oak Cliff for the character. Auto shops next to restaurants is part of the mix. If the city wants to spend a bunch of money on a "gateway" to make BA prettier, why not spend it fixing up the stuff they already own that needs up keep.
On the other hand, it would be nice if some existing business (and some of the new ones) made a little effort to clean up their act, but don't force them out or start jamming code enforcement down their throats for stuff the city never enforced for the last 20 years. There are plenty of more blatant code violations in North Oak Cliff that should be getting attention than that.
His property taxes, which you have wrong on here by the way as you only looked at the value of his inventory/furnishings/equipment are based on the value DCAD puts on the property. If someone just offered me DCAD's value of my home I would not want to be forced to move either. Give the guy a break he has invested 18 years of his life building a business at that location. He cannot just pack up and move, especially when the city is eliminating all the inexpensive properties in the area that are zoned for his needs. With the Bishop/Davis plan he could not move to any existing Davis street address, only grandfathered businesses are allowed. I support the Bishop/Davis plan, but let’s let existing business stay put.
PS: I really like getting my car fixed while I run over to get a meal and a little shopping in Bishop Arts. You cannot do that in Highland Park or in Uptown. I also like not paying $50+ an hour for repairs.
Transmission and Auto Care does not equal "tire shop."
Transmission and Auto Care does not equal "tire shop."
[…] wanted more like $750,000 for the property, which is appraised for tax purposes at $205,000, as reported by Candy’s Dirt last year. That report implied Smith was being greedy for wanting his […]
[…] wanted more like $750,000 for the property, which is appraised for tax purposes at $205,000, as reported by Candy’s Dirt last year. That report implied Smith was being greedy for wanting his […]
[…] Last December I had my hissy fit about Roy’s Transmission & Autocare at 138 W. Davis. The shop lies splat in the center of the city’s plans to create a cute million dollar plus plaza and streetcar stop at Zang and Seventh. Basically, Roy Smith has been fixing cars at this location for 18 years. The city wants to buy Smith’s tire shop property to build a way cool entrance to Bishop Arts, including a children’s playground. Smith has no objections except the green kind: he wants to be paid enough money to relocate and get another business. Last year, he said he had his property appraised at $775,000 when the city offered him “only” about $205,000. […]
[…] Last December I had my hissy fit about Roy’s Transmission & Autocare at 138 W. Davis. The shop lies splat in the center of the city’s plans to create a cute million dollar plus plaza and streetcar stop at Zang and Seventh. Basically, Roy Smith has been fixing cars at this location for 18 years. The city wants to buy Smith’s tire shop property to build a way cool entrance to Bishop Arts, including a children’s playground. Smith has no objections except the green kind: he wants to be paid enough money to relocate and get another business. Last year, he said he had his property appraised at $775,000 when the city offered him “only” about $205,000. […]