Preserving Robert E. Lee’s Gettysburg HQ raises tax revenue concerns

(Gettysburg) — Preserving history usually is cheered, but some leaders in Gettysburg are concerned the latest project in the borough will take away tens of thousands of dollars in annual tax payments.

The Civil War Trust hopes to raise $5.5 million to demolish a motel and restaurant on four acres surrounding Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s headquarters during the famed three-day 1863 battle.

The owners currently pay about $58,000 in property taxes, split among the school district, borough, and Adams County.

“We need to shepherd all of the potential revenues we can if we’re to balance budgets in an appropriate way,” saysMichael Birkner, President of the Gettysburg Borough Council.

Jim Campi with the Civil War Trust, says the organization couldn’t talk about its plans until July 1 because of a confidentiality agreement.

But he says he has faith government and the Trust will agree on payments in lieu of taxes.

“One of the borough Council members mentioned it’s not an adversarial matter at all. And that’s absolutely the case.”

Campi with the Civil War Trust says they’ve been in negotiations with other local governments before.

“I can’t imagine a scenario where we can’t work something out. We’re all reasonable people.”

The Trust says it’s confident it will raise the money needed to buy the property and hopes to eventually turn it over to the National Park Service. It hopes to complete the purchase by early next year.

“There’s time before this actually happens. And we will be fact finding and we will be conversing with whomever we can converse with,” says Birkner.

51 percent of the Borough’s property – like county offices, park service property and Gettysburg College – is tax-exempt, says the Pennsylvania Municipal League.