Fort Scott approves sale of multiple vacant lots, tables one; accepts offers from Bourbon County Revitalization for two houses

Fort Scott City members approved the sale of two vacant lots and accepted offers from Bourbon County Revitalization to take responsibility for two derelict houses, while tabling consideration of a third lot until a third bidder submits an offer.

The board approved selling a corner lot at 1024 South Judson for $500 with a condition that the buyer either renovate or demolish an existing outbuilding on the parcel within a set timeframe. Members also approved a $500 side-lot sale for property at 616 South Horton. For 710 South Loma (also recorded in materials as Lohman/Lohman/Loma), members voted to table action and ask all interested applicants to resubmit prices after the meeting leader reported a third potential applicant had signaled interest.

The board received written offers from Bourbon County Revitalization to assume responsibility for 501 North Coats and for 416 Southburg, with the organization agreeing either to rehabilitate the structures or demolish them at its own expense. Members voted not to move forward with city-funded demolition in those two cases and to pursue the offers instead. Meeting discussion noted title complications on some properties and that the group’s proposal would avoid demolition costs the city would otherwise incur.

Board members and staff discussed title issues affecting several tax-foreclosed parcels; at least two properties derive from prior foreclosures or deceased owners and will require title work before closing. Staff noted one of the lots (710 South Loma/Lohman) is a nonconforming lot in R-1 zoning because it is smaller than the 6,000-square-foot minimum and that a purchaser would need a variance to build.

During the discussion of the two structures offered to Bourbon County Revitalization, city staff described 501 North Coats as a house with intact roof and foundation despite interior vandalism, and noted prior city demolitions had cost roughly $4,000–$5,000. The offers from Bourbon County Revitalization included no purchase price; the organization’s stated consideration was that it would either rehabilitate or demolish each building within the stated timeframe at its own expense. The group did not commit in writing at the meeting to rebuild on cleared lots if it demolished structures.

Votes at a glance - Approve minutes (prior meeting): approved (motion moved and seconded; unanimous as recorded). - 1024 South Judson — accept $500 offer with contract requirement to refurbish or demolish outbuilding and time frame (90 days for demolition work): approved. - 616 South Horton — accept $500 offer: approved. - 710 South Loma/Lohman — table and request all applicants resubmit prices (pending third applicant): tabled. - 501 North Coats — do not proceed with city demolition; present offer from Bourbon County Revitalization to rehabilitate or demolish at their expense: approved. - 416 Southburg — present offer from Bourbon County Revitalization to rehabilitate or demolish at their expense: approved.

The board instructed staff to draft sale contracts that include the site-specific conditions (demo/rehab requirements and time frames) and to advertise the open board vacancy created by an immediate resignation (see separate article). For the lot that is a nonconforming R-1 parcel, staff will note in contracts that any construction will be contingent on the buyer obtaining required variances.

The meeting record shows multiple items will require title work before closing; staff said they will return with written offers and contract language for formal processing. No additional city-funded demolition work on the two Bourbon County Revitalization properties was authorized at the meeting.

Ending: Staff will prepare formal sale contracts and return those contract terms to the city commission or next meeting for finalization; the tabled lot will be reconsidered after applicants resubmit bids.