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Council discusses selling Front Street lot; members consider minimum bid and note environmental issues
Summary
Councilors discussed advertising a 0.51‑acre Front Street light‑industrial lot for sale, noting lost tax revenue since 2013, demolition costs, environmental problems and two interested parties; a low minimum bid (about $10) was suggested by members.
Councilors discussed options to put a borough‑owned 0.51‑acre lot on Front Street in a light‑industrial zone up for sale, with members weighing minimum bid levels against environmental remediation and past demolition costs.
The borough manager reported an analysis showing about $2,677 in lost tax revenue on the parcel since 2013; the lot is currently assessed at $55,900. Councilors said the borough spent roughly $75,000 to demolish a building on the property in addition to earlier acquisition costs (about $4,700). Two parties had expressed interest in the lot, staff said, and both indicated industrial uses consistent with the zoning. Council discussion focused on whether to set a minimum bid when advertising the sale. One councilor suggested a minimum of $10 and another mentioned $15; a low minimum was favored by members who said the borough's primary goal was to put the property back on the tax rolls rather than recover demolition costs.
Council members noted environmental problems on the lot would likely reduce private appraised value and that a formal resolution would be required to accept any sale once bids are received. No final minimum bid was adopted at the meeting; staff were directed to proceed with advertisement planning and to bring a resolution to accept sale terms if a bid is selected.
