Old city hall sold

Jeremy Nash News-Herald.net

Council voted unanimously to award custom home builder Providence Builders a bid for $285,321 for the city-owned property on East Broadway Street. The company was one of two bids that came in for the building, with the other being Marty Fugate at $265,000.
 

Aikens was given authority last month from council to put the property on the market with help from a Realtor, but was notified someone was interested in bidding. Aikens informed council he then put the property up for bid again.
 

“I just wanted to remind everybody that that property appraised for $306 (thousand) or so, just over $300,000, and sometimes you’re better to cut bait in my opinion than you are to hang on to it,” Simpson said. “I think it’s deteriorating the way it’s sitting there now. I know we still do have the heat and everything on but nevertheless it’s not being utilized, therefore it’s going to go down and depreciate more in value.”
 

Maryville-based Shank & Associates in November determined market value for the property was $345,000.
 

“We have some more additional items in the basement as far as older records and equipment, things like that, we’re going to be taking that this Saturday and kind of finishing that up,” Scott said after the meeting. “That should be it, there’s not much left.”
 

In other action, Lenoir City Council members:
 

Passed the purchasing committee’s recommendation to repair the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at city hall. Police Chief Don White said the current system is 32 years old. After soliciting three bids, the only company to give one was National Contracting. Council agreed on the repair not to exceed $12,000. White said the majority of money will go toward labor.
 

Authorized $7,450 to be put toward work at the intersection of Creekwood Park Boulevard and U.S. Highway 321. Companies involved are Superior Pavement Marking Inc., and Progression Electric.
 

Approved Aikens appointing Scott and Lenoir City resident Cynthia Fleming to be the city representatives on the East Tennessee Foundation steering committee. Fleming also serves on the Loudon County Board of Equalization.