JOHNSTOWN – The city in 2013 posted about half as many tax foreclosures on properties than in past years
Mayor Sarah Slingerland said that statistic is good sign for the economy.
The Common Council voted at its Monday meeting at City Hall to advertise for proposals to sell three city-owned properties to the public.
“This year, we only had four foreclosures – one vacant lot, one small gas station for which we’re working on issues, and two houses that are vacant,” Slingerland said. “It’s very interesting. We only had four for the city. People are paying their taxes. It’s a healthy sign.”
Slingerland said the city has averaged six to 10 tax foreclores in other years.
The council resolution advertised to solicit sealed written proposals for the sale and disposition of these three properties: a vacant one-family home at 30 Parkwood Ave.; a vacant one-family home at 3 Burton St.; and residential vacant land at 103 Hoosac St.
Proposals are being solicited until 10 a.m. May 10 in the Clerk’s Office at City Hall.
Minimum bids were set as follows: Parkwood Avenue home – $10,000; Burton Street home – $5,000; and Hoosac Street land – $1,000. The city is reserving the right to reject any or all of the bids.
The city acquired the properties through its tax sale foreclosures.
But city officials said they want to sell the properties to the public and return them to the tax rolls to promote the best use of the property.
The city already has invested several thousand dollars into the cleanup at the vacant land at 103 Hoosac St.
The council in July approved a total $12,300 bid from Atlantic Contracting & Specialties to do asbestos-removal at what was once a city-owned home at that address, as well as at another property.
By December, the total contract price for Atlantic to do work on Hoosac Street had risen to $13,850.
The meeting Monday took place just hours after the Boston Marathon bombings. It began with Slingerland requesting a moment of silence for the victims.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at [email protected].
