Here’s the former Albany school district bus barn at 430 11th Ave. S.E. The school district want to sell the property.
After an executive session closed to the public, the Albany City Council last week voted unanimously “to authorize the public works director to submit a sealed bid to Greater Albany Public School District.”
The council seemed to take pains to avoid saying publicy what it was bidding for.
But the Albany school district has only two properties for sale: old modular classrooms used at South Shore Elementary School, and the vacant former school district bus garage at 430 11th Ave. S.E.
And according to its website, the district is accepting sealed bids for only the bus garage. The deadline to submit a bid is July 21.
GAPS moved its busing operation to its newly built transportation center at 2201 Ferry St. S.E. in 2022.
The former bus garage between 11th and 13th Avenues measures 2.75 acres and includes covered parking for the buses, a three-bay work garage, and office space.
The property has been off the tax rolls for years, so there has been no particular point in determining a realistic taxable value.
Nevertheless, the Linn County assessor’s online system shows a real market value of the property of $980,600.
In its public notice inviting bids, the school board reserved the right “to accept or reject any bid or to negotiate further with one or more bidders as the board deems in the best interest of the district.”
More on the outcome of this deal, if there is one, when the outcome is known. (hh)
And here’s the property as seen from the gate on 13th Avenue.
Lord, spare us from another City Council real estate transaction, for they know not what they do. Repeatedly!
Perfect place to put tent/ live in a car city!
A bit surprised after the Wells Fargo adventure.
Good lord .. it will end up another RV storage bossiness …
Rachel, thank you! The helping hands shelter would do well there. It would be the perfect solution for all the homeless. It would create an environment of safety for the community and the homeless as well. Drive buy drug sales, prostitution and bad behavior in general would be limited. The city needs to make some decisions that can make a real difference concerning the homeless crisis. This could be a game changer if the city committed to it. Hopeful they will pool their resources and put them in a productive system rather than creating camps all over town.
Plus, once it fails, it could easily be burned to the ground without danger to any homes in the area.
Build it and they will show up.
“The council seemed to take pains to avoid saying publicy what it was bidding for.”
That part sounds less than transparent.
Also, we better not start hearing that they don’t have enough money for services.