By DAVE SCHULTZ
The Bluffton Common Council took a step Tuesday night toward selling four properties in its possession.
The parcels — one each on Indiana, Market, Miller, and Morgan streets — became the city’s property when they did not sell at a Wells County tax sale. The county then turned the sites over to the city.
By law, the city was required to obtain two appraisals and sell each property for no less than the average of the two appraisals. While that worked for one parcel, at 304 W. Wiley Ave., the remaining four — at 517 Indiana St., 927 W. Market St., 404 W. Miller St., and 328 N. Morgan St. — did not draw a qualifying proposal.
So on Tuesday night, the city’s Redevelopment Commission agreed to take a crack at selling the parcels.
The same basic rules remain in place — in fact, Mayor John Whicker said the city is updating the appraisals. This time, however, the RDC will be able to authorize Whicker to make a deal to sell the parcels with interested buyers if no one offers to make the average of the appraised values.
The RDC, as its name says, is able to provide development options if more routine options do not work. The members of the Bluffton Common Council — Josh Hunt, Chandler Gerber, Rick Elwells, Scott Mentzer, and Janella Stronczek — also serve as the five members of the RDC.
Meeting as the RDC Tuesday night, the council members approved two measures that will allow them to sell the properties. First, they approved a measure that would allow the RDC to take possession of the four sites. Then they agreed to set up a fund that will allow it to accept the money when the sites are sold.
Also Tuesday, the Bluffton Common Council agreed to return $25,000 into the city’s Community Re-Investment Program which is administered by the Bluffton NOW! (New, Old, Wonderful) revitalization organization.
Mike Lautzenheiser, president of Bluffton NOW!, said the money was earmarked for a project that can not be completed at this time. As a result, it can now be repurposed for other projects that may be reviewed during the rest of 2023.
The council members also approved that measure on a 5-0 vote.
daves@news-banner.com
