City has tentative deal fo r DPW facility
Patty RamusThe former Alpena Department of Public Works facility may have a new owner, if a deal recently approved by the municipal council is finalized.
The municipal council approved the sale of the building, located at 615 W. Campbell Street, to local business owner Jon Benson during its meeting Monday.
According to a memorandum written by Greg Sundin, city planning and development director, that was presented at the meeting, the city has been trying to sell the building since 2005 when the Long Lake Avenue facility became operational.
Benson has proposed to purchase the property for $2,000 through a zero percent interest 15-year land contract with the ability to convert to a mortgage after five years. The payments would be $1,111.11 per month, Sundin said.
Benson said he was interested in the property because it’s large enough for proposed business plans. While details haven’t been finalized, his plans for the facility include running his limousine service there, renting space to one or two tenants and locating some of his other businesses there.
“It’s large enough to do what I wanted to do. It’s adjacent to other property I have,” he said.
Benson said he’s currently waiting on the necessary paperwork to make the purchase final. If finalized, he would then proceed with renovating the building. The limousine service likely would move to the facility right away but implementing other parts of the plans depend on when renovations are completed.
Sundin said upon the sale of the property, Benson would become financially responsible for insurance, maintenance, taxes and all utilities except those to an emergency siren.
The city would continue to be responsible for the environmental issues existing on the site and retain the right of unencumbered access onto the property to perform all necessary monitoring along with any associated remediation efforts, until the site is closed by the Department of Environmental Quality, Sundin said.
“Staff views this sale as a win-win for both Mr. Benson and the city. Mr. Benson will be able to acquire a facility capable of supporting several business enterprises,” he wrote in the memorandum. “The city will be able to remove the property from its inventory and back onto the tax rolls, while obtaining a steady income for the next 15 years.”
Patty Ramus can be reached via e-mail at pramus@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5687.
