One man who happens to own 273 acres where Flight 93 crashed on 9/11 is demanding $10 million for his property where a memorial is planned. The memorial project envisions a memorial and National Park covering about 1,300 acres. The landowner, Mike Svonavec, has installed a donation box on his land to "cover security costs".
PITTSBURGH – A man who owns property at the site where Flight 93 crashed has demanded millions for his portion of land where a memorial is planned, and has installed a donation box to help pay for security. The actions by Mike Svonavec have angered victims' families, who believe he is overcharging and disagree with the need for a donation box.
"That land has been paid for with 40 lives … the donation box is an insult to that cost," said Patrick White, vice president for Families of Flight 93.
Svonavec wants $10 million for his 273-acre property in Somerset County, far more than the per-acre amount paid for nearby land, White said Tuesday. He said Svonavec told him about his asking price last July, and that he has rejected three offers from the group — the latest for more than $500,000.
"I think Svonavec believes his land, because it has the blood of my cousin and 39 other people, it's worth more," he said.
Svonavec said he wants fair market value for the parcel and he would accept no money for the exact site where 40 passengers and crew members died when the hijacked United Airlines flight crashed on Sept. 11, 2001. He declined to comment on the $10 million figure.
The donation box, installed near a temporary memorial on the land, would help cover security costs. Security has been handled by a firm at a cost of about $10,000 per month since federal funding ran out in February. The site has also incurred other costs, he said.
"I just can't afford it," Svonavec said. "I need some help."…..
……Svonavec said he is working with advisers, including Randall Bell, a California-based real estate appraiser who specializes in properties where disasters have occurred. Svonavec said he is waiting for a completed appraisal.
Um, yeah, almost $37,000 per acre for farm land is an extraordinarily "fair" price, Mr. Svonavec. Why, it's so "fair" we only have one little question for you – and for your adviser, Mr. Bell: however do the two of you manage to shave in the morning? Because if either one of you can look yourself in the eye in the mirror, you're both worse than we think. By a considerable amount.
And in your honor, Mr. Svonavec and Mr. Bell, I've inaugurated a brandy-spanking new category.
If it is the Park Service ie the Federal Gov’t that wants to buy this land, one wonders if the Gov’t might eventually invoke eminent domain and simply “steal” his land?
This guy sounds like a creep, but it’s his land. And why do we need 1300 acres to set up a memorial?
This Mike Svonavec guy owns the actual crash site of the plane and refuses to sell just that area. He is holding it hostage trying to make them buy the entire lot and then he will “donate” the actual crash site. At a tune of 10 million dollars. I am not a fan of emminient domain but in this case it seems justified.