Council to consider buying dilapidated properties

The North Platte city council is set to hold separate public hearings Tuesday to discuss the potential purchase of five more dilapidated properties.

The purchases are paid by a $1.25 million grant from federal funds, administered by the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, that was granted in November to support the purchase of blighted or deteriorating properties and redevelop them for affordable housing.

As part of the program, the city plans to establish a revolving fund from the proceeds of the properties when they are sold, and continue buying and rehabilitating dilapidated sites.

Since January, the city has acquired seven properties through the grant. None have been sold yet. The city paid about what the land is assessed at for those properties. When an eighth property was proposed two weeks ago, at almost double the taxable valuation and the council decided to reduce the offer to just less than the assessed value.

Of the five properties that are up for review Tuesday, the first is at 716 W. Eighth. It has been vacant since July 2020 following the death of its owner, according to council materials. To address unsafe conditions at the site, the city appointed a special administrator, attorney Matthew Pederson of North Platte. The city now proposes to buy the property for $29,000. The land is currently assessed at $14,429, with the dwelling valued at $58,281, for a total assessed value of $72,710.

1902 N. Sheridan The second is at 1902 N. Sheridan Ave. It includes 0.67 acres that the city plans to divide into multiple lots if the purchase is approved. According to council documents, the city has addressed numerous complaints and nuisance violations related to the property. The city helped in the process of appointing a personal representative for the late property owner, Charlotte Jackson.

According to council documents, Joseph Jackson was appointed as the personal representative, with Susan Little, Lee Durand, and Cathy Jo Kramer listed as the sellers. The city has offered $60,000 for the property, which is currently assessed at $28,100 for the land, $26,965 for the dwelling, and $750 for an outbuilding for a total assessed value of $55,815.

The third property at 603 S. Maple, is listed on the city’s list of problem properties with issues that need to be resolved. The city has offered $25,444 for it. The registered owner is Ronald Koester, and Jennifer Gilliland is the seller, according to council materials. The property is assessed at $25,444 for the land, $22,842 for the dwelling, and $250 for an outbuilding, for a total assessed value of $48,536.

The fourth property at 1015 N. Bryan, is also on the city’s property resolution list. The city is offering $58,000 to the owner, CJK Holdings LLC. Chad Kleewein is listed as the signer for the LLC. The property is assessed at $10,829 for the land, $54,783 for the dwelling, and $3,801 for an outbuilding, for a total assessed value of $69,413.

The final property, a vacant lot at 2220 W. 4th, was recently listed for sale at $17,000. The city is offering the same amount to the owner, Donald Snyder. The lot is currently assessed at $18,077.

During the last council meeting, the city’s Grant Administrator Kevin Kreger reported that approximately $1.1 million of the available grant money remains. He said the funds must be spent by Sept. 30 or they will have to be returned to the U.S. Treasury.

The council will take public comments on these purchases during its meeting Monday, which starts at 5:30 p.m. at City Hall, 211 W. Third.

Council to consider buying dilapidated properties

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