Overdue property taxes are nothing new for the owners of the Orchards Mall.
Durga Property Holdings Inc, the current owner of Orchards Mall, has a track record of waiting months and years before paying the property taxes they owe the county. As of today, the company owes hundreds of thousands of dollars in unpaid property taxes dating back to 2020. The amount as of mid-August was $344,494.68.
If Durga’s owner fails to pay the 2023 Summer Property Tax bill, that amount climbs to nearly $400,000 dollars ($392,087.23).
Included in the delinquent back taxes is $54,000 for a sewer lien and $5,500 for municipal mowing of the property, amounts levied by Benton Township.
For its 2020 taxes, Durga Property Holdings is currently on a payment plan of $250 per month, though that agreement expires in March 2024.
According to Berrien County officials, unless the 2020 and 2021 tax bills, interest, penalties, and fees are paid in full, the property is subject to foreclosure on March 31, 2024.
Montu Bedi, Administrative Liaison for Durga Property Holdings, says he has been in contact with the county about the delinquent taxes. He says, “It is the utmost desire and intent to have these taxes paid before March 2024.”
Berrien County Summer taxes are due by September 14.
