LOCAL

Inch & Co. seeking tax relief for sports complex project at former Central York field

York Daily Record

A prominent York County builder and land developer is seeking tax relief to aid its proposed sports training and performance center project.

Inch & Co. officials are now one step closer to acquiring their all-important certification for LERTA − the Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance program that encourages development and renovations for blighted, deteriorating and often long-vacant properties.

LERTA rewards new development by allowing property owners, such as Inch & Co., to pay property taxes at a reduced rate for up to 10 years.

Brothers and co-founders Johnny Inch (left) and Jeff Inch pose for a portrait on the vacant athletic field of the old Central York High School in North York Borough. Although they were homeschooled and grew up in the Northeastern School District, the brothers hung out and played at the field as kids, which was just a couple of blocks from their grandparents' house. Now, through their construction company, Inch & Co., they hope to build a state-of-the-art sports complex on the grounds.

The North York Borough Council voted last week to approve the company's LERTA request − the initial step in the process. Even though Inch & Co. officials said they will only seek tax relief from York County and the Central York School District, they still needed borough approval because of their project's location.

Inch & Co.'s proposed 250,000-square-foot sports center will be built on the vacant playing fields of the old Central York High School, which have been vacant for several years. Groundbreaking on the 13-acre complex abutting North York borough and Manchester Township could happen as soon the summer, according to officials.

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They're billing it as "one of the region’s largest indoor recreation facilities."

Inch & Co. brothers Johnny and Jeff Inch have long planned to open their spots complex at some point in 2024. Their website highlights the project here.

An artist’s rendering of a proposed 250,000 square foot sports center on the site of the vacant playing field of the old Central York High School in North York borough.

Their proposed center will include side-by-side structures housing fields and courts. Amenities range from food services for kids to mental health coaching to ample parking (nearly 800 spaces to accommodate weekend tournaments).

Massive glass windows, showcasing the workout center, will face Interstate 83 South − providing the endless stream of drivers with a billboard view. The Inches want their sports complex to be a magnet for tournaments and teams near and far, to be a training hub for college and pro athletes, to be a saving opportunity for local kids just looking to learn and stay off the streets.

Frank Bodani covers Penn State football for the York Daily Record and USA Today Network. Contact him at fbodani@ydr.com and follow him on Twitter @YDRPennState.

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