December 11, 2024 |
Photo – Courtesy of the Town of Medicine Bow
Citing the cost of cleanup, the Medicine Bow town council decided not to accept a low-cost property purchase.
Last month, Medicine Bow Clerk Treasurer Karen Heath informed the governing body that an unnamed person, who acquired a property on the 700 block of Wyoming Street through a tax-lien sale, has offered to sell it to the town for $500.
The property requires a costly cleanup effort and has $2,000 in unpaid utility liens levied against it that must be paid before it can be sold to a private investor.
After discussing the matter, the council decided to postpone a decision about the purchase until an estimate to remove scrap metal, trash, and other debris from the property can be obtained.
During Monday’s Medicine Bow town council meeting, Public Works Director Brian Lashley said a local scrap dealer examined the lot and was unwilling to purchase any of the scrap metal, except for two wood stoves.
Lashley said that when all totaled, removing the rest of the debris is estimated to cost the town $5,000.
The governing body reported that the property contains two trailer homes and several derelict cars, all of which are beyond repair.
A member of the audience asked what the property is worth. Treasurer Heath said the property is hooked up to town utilities and ready to develop. However, Councilwoman Kristi Wickizer stated that the $500 price was offered exclusively to the town.
Councilman Lee Cook asked who is responsible for remediation if the property is found to contain potentially hazardous items and the town decides against purchasing it. Town Attorney Cameron Smith informed him that the current property owner must pay to clean up the land.
With a $500 purchase price, an estimated $5,000 for property cleanup, and $2,000 in unpaid liens, the town would need to spend $7,500 to prepare the land for resale. The Medicine Bow town council decided that the return on investment is too low and chose not to accept the offer.
