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Council delays surplus sale of former police station, asks mayor for commercial appraisal
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Summary
Councilors agreed to give the mayor and comptroller time to obtain a professional commercial appraisal of the former police station on Church Street before formally declaring it surplus and proceeding to sale by bid.
Councilors discussed the mayor’s request to declare the former police station (assessor map 28 lot 12, 29 Church Street) surplus so the city can sell it by bid. The Board of Assessors had recommended declaring the property surplus and placing it on the tax rolls, but several councilors urged caution because the assessor’s in‑house figure does not substitute for a commercial appraisal.
One councilor said the property is “prime real estate” and cautioned that the city should know the property’s true value before selling. Another member noted that churches and other tax‑exempt properties make in‑house assessments unreliable for sale purposes. Former city solicitor and other councilors urged a limited professional appraisal to set a minimum bid floor and avoid public criticism over undervaluing the parcel.
The acting city property chair recommended giving the mayor’s office and comptroller’s office time to arrange a commercial appraisal before the council declares the parcel surplus; the council voted to grant further time with referrals to the mayor and comptroller to obtain appraisal guidance and to report back.
Next steps: referral to the mayor and comptroller to obtain a professional appraisal and return with a report before a surplus declaration or sale by bid is scheduled.
