Salem Could Be Sued Over Coke Plant Denial

Following a 4-1 rejection of a proposal that would transform the old Salem Coca-Cola bottling plant into a used car dealership, property owner Joseph Scott has told the Eagle-Tribune that he's "going to take [the town] to court if he has to" because he feels officials are blocking certain types of development. 

The Eagle-Tribune has reported that the Salem Zoning Board denied a variance request to renovate the structure into a used car dealership for various reasons, including the fact that it would be in the public's best interest and because other uses could be found. 

Scott's company, Metscott 21 LLC of Salem, purchased the long-dormant plant in 2006 for $3 million, according to information available from the Vision Appraisal assessor's online database of Salem properties.

The 23 S. Broadway parcel is valued at $2,430,200. The building, which has just over 75,000 square feet of livable space on the parcel, was originally constructed in 1921 as one of the first Coca-Cola bottling plants in the country, although it has been vacant for years.

What do you think? Do you think the town should pursue any feasible proposal for a building that many have called an eyesore, or do you think the zoning board was right in recently denying Scott's project? Please tell us in the comments below.