Want to buy a used government office building?
There’s one for sale at 18 W. Burdick Street.
Last week, the Oxford Township Board voted 4-1 to put the vacant 2,500-square-foot township hall up for sale.
For 60 days, the township will collect sealed bids for the property with the caveat that it ‘reserves the right to accept or reject any and all offers.?
So how much is the old township hall and all the parking that goes with it worth?
According to an appraisal commissioned by the village, who’s expressed an interest in possibly purchasing the property, it’s worth $325,000.
A pricing analysis conducted for the township in October 2006 by Coldwell Banker Schooltz Realty suggested the property be listed at $392,000.
Village officials also discussed the fate of the old township hall at their meeting last week.
Council approved a motion 4-0 to ‘notify the township that we would be interested in purchasing the property but not until we have a full council (present) and we know exactly what the damage might be to the roof of the building.?
Concerns were expressed over the current condition of the building and the unknown cost to repair any potential problems.
‘Was there anything in there structurally that was a big red flag?? asked Councilwoman Teri Stiles.
Council President George DelVigna said village Building Inspector Eric Pearson did a ‘walk through? of the old hall and it ‘needs a new roof and it needs some other things.?
‘I would like to let the township know that we might be interested, but at this particular time, we can’t determine what kind of improvements the building may need,? said Councilman Tom Benner.
Benner said he would like a ‘written evaluation? from the village’s building inspector as to the ‘condition of the roof.?
‘I know with this kind of weather it’s probably almost impossible to do that,? he said.
Finances were also a concern.
‘We have to check to see if we have that kind of money to spend and if we want to spend that kind of money,? DelVigna said.
Benner agreed.
‘Where would this money come from?? the councilman said. ‘What is our financial status??
DelVigna noted the only things the old township hall can be used for are office space, it’s previous purpose, or a multiple family development as it’s currently zoned RM-2.
‘It can’t be used for anything else,? he said.
Manager Joe Young said future village plans call for the entire government complex on W. Burdick Street to someday become townhouses.
‘It seems to me if the village were not to acquire the property, then somebody else ultimately will and that could in turn create some odd circumstances,? noted Councilman Dave Bailey.
Those ‘odd circumstances? could include the building being turned into a chiropractor’s office or townshouse and having them advertise that they’re located in the village municipal complex, he explained.
‘Both of those are rather amusing thoughts,? Bailey said.