The Centralia City Council is ready to sell the long vacant Hoffman-Hart building that they own at 122 East Broadway in the downtown business district.
The council took the first step Monday night when they declared the property surplus.
City Clerk and Administrative Officer Kim Enke says bids for the property will be opened May 9th.
“There were a couple businesses in there for a little bit, but for the most part it has stayed vacant and has deteriorated. So instead of holding onto the property we have had some interested parties come forward wanted to purchase it and put a proposal in for a possible new development. So in order to do that this surplus would be bid.”
But Enke says the city doesn’t want the building to remain vacant.
“This is a little different than we normally do for some of our vacant lots where normally we set a minimum price and they place bids. This is going to have requirements for request for proposal to give a narrative about their business, financial information, some information on what they are going to do with the building. The minimum bid would be set at $60,000 or whatever is the pleasure of the council.”
Enke says if an acceptable proposal is received the council could approve a sale of the building as soon as the May 23rd meeting.
In other action, the city approved a $146,454 bid from Elite Contracting and Consulting to reroof part of the Emergency Operating Center that houses the police and fire departments. Some parts of the roof that are still in good shape have been cut from the project to keep it under the $500,000 included in the budget. Elite’s bid is $50,000 under what was rejected at the last meeting. The council has re-established a no parking zone on East 5th from Cedar to Lincoln.
Emergency vehicles and school busses are having trouble making a turn onto 5th Street from Lincoln with vehicles parked on the street.
The Centralia American Legion was given permission to proceed with the annual 4th of July Homecoming event at Fairview Park from July 1st through the 4th. The legion also received permission to start a new event, the First Annual Labor Day Fest from September 2nd through the 5th.
April 7th was declared Gary Gaetti Day to coincide with the opening day of the professional baseball season.
Two retirees are being honored. Fire Lieutenant Cary Altadonna was presented a plaque for 26 years of service to the city. Public Works Maintenance Operator
Michael Berning was earlier given a plaque for 19 years of service.
