<div>The city council authorized the purchase Tuesday of a fourth run-down property. using grant funds from the state’s Rural Community Recovery Program.Under the program, in November 2024, the state Department of Economic Development gave the city $1.25 million to acquire legal titles to deteriorating properties and convert them into affordable housing.Property at 1621 W. 13th St. has been deemed unsafe, and the owner, Steven Vargas, agreed to sell it to the city for $9,742. The amount is in accordance with the taxable valuation of the land that is set by the Lincoln County assessor. The structure was deemed worthless when it came to setting the price.The council’s approval came on a split vote, after considerable discussion.Councilman Brad Garrick asked that the topic to be removed from the agenda for routine consent, exercising his prerogative as a councilmember.Garrick expressed concern about the city, as a taxing authority, buying properties that private citizens may also want to buy. In doing so, he echoed a concern expressed by former councilman Mark Woods at the last meeting. Woods has made a career of restoring residences.Garrick asked if safeguards are in place to prevent the city from outbidding residents. In reply, City Attorney Bill Troshynski said that the city has not pursued any property that is known to be of interest to private buyers. In this specific case, the homeowner reportedly told the city that no others offers have been made.Garrick expressed discomfort with the process, noting that the city has already purchased three properties with the grant funds and has received at least one complaint from a resident, Woods, who claimed he was outbid for a property on W. Second. The council voted 5–2 to approve the property purchase, with Garrick and Rieker voting no© 2025 The North Platte Bulletin. All rights reserved!</div>

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The city council authorized the purchase Tuesday of a fourth run-down property. using grant funds from the state’s Rural Community Recovery Program. Under the program, in November 2024, the state Department of Economic Development gave the city $1.25 million to acquire legal titles to deteriorating properties and convert them into affordable housing.

City buys another dilapidated property

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The city council authorized the purchase Tuesday of a fourth run-down property. using grant funds from the state’s Rural Community Recovery Program. Under 

City buys another dilapidated property

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