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City Council wants to sell some city-owned property

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  • David Tewes •
  • Originally published July 16, 2008 at 11:43 p.m., updated July 16, 2008 at 11:43 p.m.

Prime commercial property owned by the city in north Victoria could soon be up for sale.

The City Council gave staff permission Tuesday to work up a plan in preparation for selling the two parcels located along North Navarro Street.

“We’re using land worth potentially $10 a square foot to park trucks on,” Council Member Tom Halepaska said.

One parcel is the six-acre tract that houses Navarro del Norte, purchased from the Texas Department of Transportation eight years ago for about $463,000. It’s located across from Lowe’s and provides space for water, wastewater, street and traffic control operations.

The second is the recycling center on Huvar Street. The site has also served as a fire station.

City Manager Charles Windwehen said the property met the city’s needs, but it’s not an ideal location. He said heavy traffic on Navarro makes it tough for large city equipment to get into and out of the property and neighbors have complained about the noise and dust.

Windwehen and Mayor Will Armstrong have said they think both pieces of commercial property can be sold for a profit and put back on the tax roll. The city could use money from the sale to move the city departments someplace more centrally located.

Mayor Pro Tem Lewis Neitsch said the city has already been approached by a developer interested in buying the recycling center site. He declined to say who it was.

Council Member Jim Wyatt said he wants to see a plan for selling the property and getting the city departments moved.

“We’ve been talking about this for a long time,” he said. “I’m not opposed to the sale.”

David Tewes is a reporter for the Advocate. Contact him at 361-580-6515 or dtewes@vicad.com, or comment on this story at www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.



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Comments

  • ThirdPartyObserver ThirdPartyObserver Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    I hope this potential sale of property has an extensive study undertaken before making a decision. I can agree that parking trucks at the Navarro location is probably not the best use of property but if you look closely at the shape of this parcel it may not have as much value as they believe. I also hope a complete relocation study is undertaken and it is determined the operations at these locations can economically be re-located with less cost then the sale of the property brings in revenue. One final point regarding the Mayor and wanting to put property back on the tax rolls. I find it very interesting that the property associated with his business holdings on N. Laurent is on the tax rolls at 80% of the value it was listed at in 2003 while other commercial property on the same street (addresses less then 3 blocks difference) is valued at 141% of the 2003 appraisal. Maybe this is just coincidence and has nothing to do with his perceived position in the local government.

    July 17, 2008 at 1:42 p.m.
  • TMICHAELsMOUSTACHE TMICHAELsMOUSTACHE Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    To bad Dave Smith didn't sell these earlier.

    Seems it use be to be easier to say I'm sorry than ask for permission.

    July 17, 2008 at 8:16 a.m.
  • BigBlueJoe BigBlueJoe Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Wonderful. This is a very smart move by the council and city leaders. City operations should not be right in the middle of a major business district where the majority of our residents and vistors go to shop, eat, and frequent for entertainment purposes. The council should be applauded. Maybe they will move these operations off of any major thoroughfare and out of sight from the public. Good job.

    July 16, 2008 at 11:37 p.m.
  • Patriot Patriot Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink  | 

    Wow, are they going to actually get permission before they sell these parcels of land?

    How about using the money to pay for the high priced lawyers for our police chief, mayor, police leuitenant, ex city attorney... uh, did I miss anyone?
    The city manager just got a big raise, how about using that money to pay for our "leaders" attorneys.

    This town just ain't right. You have to ask yourself if any of our great "leaders" have the taxpayers and cities best interest in mind.

    July 16, 2008 at 11:14 p.m.