Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Property Management topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Opelika CRA says it has closed on two downtown properties, considers property management options
Summary
The CRA reported that it has taken ownership of two downtown properties and discussed landlord responsibilities, tenant leases, and plans to seek property-management solutions, including RFP or piggyback contracting.
At its May meeting the Opelika Community Redevelopment Agency told the board it has completed purchase of two downtown commercial properties and outlined short-term landlord responsibilities and next steps on property management.
Agency staff said the CRA has closed on 391 Opelika Boulevard and 879 Fisherman Street and now holds the deeds. “We own it now. We own both the front and the back,” the CRA director told the board, adding that the agency has the keys and is arranging transfers of utilities and records.
With ownership established, staff said immediate tasks include collecting back rent, ensuring leases are in writing (many tenants are month-to-month), making modest repairs and cosmetic improvements, and addressing occupancy in both front and rear spaces. The director said four of six front storefronts show occupancy on paper, though only two appear active when visited.
Board members urged the director to explore hiring a professional property-management firm to handle rent collection, lease drafting and tenant relations. The director said he has begun informal outreach to firms and recommended a fast option called "piggybacking" (using an existing government contract) to speed procurement; some board members favored piggyback as a quicker path than a full RFP.
Several board members asked for individual, one-on-one meetings with staff to share their priorities before staff returns with a formal recommendation; the director said he will develop options for the board, including a draft scope for an RFP and piggyback choices, and bring a resolution or recommendation at a future meeting.
The board did not take formal action at this meeting to hire a manager or to set a procurement path. Staff said they will continue interim maintenance and tenant communication and will return with procurement options and a recommendation.
