Salisbury, Md. — Three Salisbury developers publicly accused Mayor Randy Taylor of stalling critical development projects by withholding signatures on agreements the city had previously committed to. At the May 19 City Council meeting, Brad Gillis of Gillis Gilkerson Construction, David Layfield of Green Street Housing, and Nick Simpson of Mentis Capital Partners detailed their frustrations over the mayor’s inaction. The developers are urging the City Council to pass an ordinance granting it authority to override the mayor and finalize agreements on the city’s behalf. Council President D’Shawn Doughty affirmed unified council support for the projects, expressing frustration with the mayor’s office. Simpson’s project to develop a hotel and conference center on Salisbury’s Lot 10, backed by a $4 million state grant, is being held up due to the mayor’s refusal to sign the subrecipient agreement. Mayor Taylor cites incomplete project plans and parking shortages as his reasons for delay, warning that the city cannot accommodate additional parking demands. Developers reject this explanation, with Layfield accusing Taylor of deliberately blocking city projects for political reasons. Due to ongoing delays, Mentis Capital Partners plans to close Lot 10 to public parking starting July 5, 2025. The dispute highlights escalating tensions between city leadership and developers that could impede Salisbury’s economic growth.
Salisbury Mayor Randy Taylor
Photo: Salisbury.md/mayors-office