Parking at Dundalk Shopping Center in Legal Battle

Blue Ocean Realty recently purchased most of the historic Dundalk Shopping Center from struggling JMJ Properties. But key elements may not have been part of the deal, specifically some parking areas.

According to a letter sent from JMJ Properties to some shopping center tenants, JMJ still owns substantial amounts of parking there including the large, empty parking lot at the fomrmer Heritage Foods supermarket and 10 other adjoining lots.

Amy Menzer, executive director of the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation, said other parts of the shopping center were also not part of the sale, including the freestanding, former home of M & T Bank and the former home of the Heritage Foods supermarket.  However, it is the parking lot issue that is causing a stir.

After the property last month, JMJ sent a letter to its former tenants advising that it planned to tow any cars in those lots that were not included as part of the sale. Menzer said Blue Ocean Realty reached the agreement to purchase the shopping center from JMJ as part of a foreclosure deal. The Dundalk Renaissance Corporation, a non-profit that promotes revitalization efforts in the Dundalk area, is located in the shopping center.

Efforts to contact JMJ and Blue Ocean Realty Wednesday were not successful.

Initially, Menzer was concerned that people attending a -sponsored homeowners workshop, scheduled almost immediately after the property changed hands, would have their cars towed.

"I emailed Michael Kohen [of JMJ Properties], asking him not to tow cars that day and he said he wouldn't," Menzer said.

Blue Ocean Realty then sought an injunction through the Circuit Court for Baltimore County, to prevent JMJ from towing cars at the shopping center.

The injunction, granted Sept. 26, is due to expire at 3:55 p.m., on Thursday. A copy of the injunction can be found on the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation website.

"It's a very uncertain situation for the tenants, the businesses and their customers," Menzer said, adding that she's not aware of anyone who was towed from the lot by JMJ prior to the injunction. "Those are the same people, as taxpayers, who paid for (JMJ's) loan to buy the shopping center."

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