Council authorizes sale of city building at 700 Hardy Way for $800,000; buyer to pay 3% commission

The Mesquite City Council on Jan. 14 directed staff to move forward with an offer to purchase the city‑owned building at 700 Hardy Way (the former Archon building, a 2.59‑acre parcel with a roughly 96,100 square‑foot building) for $800,000, to be sold as‑is, and to pay a 3 percent real‑estate commission to the broker representing the buyer.

City staff told the council the parcel previously exchanged hands in 2020 and that two appraisals prepared for the city in the last three years ranged from $1,180,000 to $1,250,000. Staff said the $800,000 offer is substantially below the appraised values and noted the building requires significant tenant improvements. The buyer’s agent told council the purchaser (a private investor) intends to rehabilitate the building and had identified potential community uses, including space for Mesquite Cancer Health Society or event/venue use; the prospective buyer was not present at the meeting but is represented by local brokers.

Councilwoman Fielding moved to accept the offer and to authorize the sale as‑is with payment of a 3 percent commission; the motion passed. The city manager and staff were directed to finalize sale paperwork consistent with council direction and to negotiate customary closing terms.

Staff advised that the lowest appraised value exceeded the offer price by roughly $380,000 and reminded council members that the city has latitude in how to proceed with city‑owned property; council balanced the lower offer against the cost of long‑term vacancy and the buyer’s willingness to rehabilitate the building into active use.