No bids were received for purchase of the former Save-a-Lot building on West Main Street. Sealed bids were scheduled to be opened at the Monday night Salem City Council meeting, but none were received.
City Manager Annette Sola says they will now seek requests for proposals from real estate firms on how they would try and sell the building.
“Disappointed. We had a lot of interest. It’s partly the way it’s zoned being Downtown Business, there are only certain things that will work. Several of the people that reached out and wanted to look at it had opportunities that would not fit into that zoning classification. Trying to work with them and find a home that is suitable for what they want.”
Sola says there was some early interest when it was announced the city planned to surplus the building in the spring that could be reached out to by the real estate agency selected to market the building. She notes there is no minimum bid and the city understands the building needs work before it can be reutilized. Meanwhile, Mission Salem will be allowed to continue to utilize the building as they begin work on construction of a new location on South Hotze Road on land given to them by the city on a long term lease.
The city council approved a $17,281 contract with Midwest Underground Discovery to televise sewer lines in a southeast section of the city extending from McMackin Street south to the CSX railroad tracks. Public Works Director Travis Sanders says the study is needed to be able to seek grant dollars to replace or line troublesome sections of the sewer line. Sola says the study could show which sections could be lined with new pipe instead of the more costly replacement of the entire line that would result in streets and right of way having to be dug up.
The council approved a request from Leon Chapman to vacate alleys on the west and south side of his property in the 300 block of West Boone Street.
The council approved the Salem Chamber of Commerce using Sweney Corner for Halloween Trick or Treating on Thursday, October 31st.
Sola said she was proud of how the various city departments worked together to address issues created by the heavy rains and flooding last Tuesday.
