Council declares house at Regional Park surplus and authorizes sale with $215,000 minimum bid

The Athens City Council unanimously approved a resolution declaring a 1.18-acre parcel and a 2,200-square-foot house located at Regional Park as surplus city property and authorized staff to dispose of the property by competitive sealed bid or public auction.

City Manager Randy Caldwell told the council the city acquired about 15 acres to expand Regional Park in 2024; the parcel fronting Decatur Pike contains a 1991-built, 2,200-square-foot house that the city does not need. The staff-recommended process is sale by advertised competitive sealed bid or public auction. The manager and council discussed a recommended minimum bid tied to the city’s current appraisal value.

Council considered a motion to accept the resolution with a minimum bid set at the city appraisal of $215,000 (the manager noted a prior purchase price for the larger tract had been higher). The council voted unanimously in favor: Dugan Aye; Pelley Aye; Sherlund Aye; Vice Mayor Curtis Aye; Mayor Larry Eaton Aye.

Council members discussed rezoning and appraisal issues. City staff and the city attorney explained that the parcel is currently zoned B-3 (intensive business); rezoning to residential would require an application and public process and could change the appraised value. Several council members suggested leaving zoning unchanged and proceeding with a commercial-appraisal-based minimum bid; others suggested an owner purchaser could pursue rezoning after purchase.

Ending: Council declared the lot surplus, authorized staff to advertise the property for sale with a minimum bid not less than the city’s $215,000 appraisal (commercial appraisal), and instructed the city attorney to prepare transfer documents should the property sell. The council directed staff to complete the required notice and bidding process.