It appears there’s a willing seller and maybe a willing buyer, but a potential property sale to help expand Oxford’s downtown parking is by no means a done deal.
The Oxford Village Council voted unanimously Sept. 23 to direct their attorney, Bob Bunting, to “begin negotiations” for the possible purchase of 20 Hudson St.
However, it was noted in the motion that in “no way should this (action) constitute an official offer to purchase without specific action of council.”
The property in question is owned by Barbara Kammerer and located on the east side of Hudson St., contiguous with the southwest downtown parking quadrant.
According to a Sept. 19 memo from OCDA Executive Director Michelle Bishop, Kammerer contacted her in July “inquiring about the possibility of” either the village or OCDA “purchasing her home as it was her understanding that her property would be desirable for future downtown master planning and she is prepared to relocate.”
“The OCDA discussed the possibility and desire to acquire this piece of property and had North Oaks Appraisal provide the OCDA with an appraisal of this property,” Bishop’s memo stated.
The value of 20 Hudson St. was appraised at $180,000.
“Upon receipt of the appraisal, the OCDA reiterated the desire to acquire this property for future development, but did not feel it was economically feasible to do so at this time,” the memo stated.
As a result, the OCDA voted to provide this information to council for its discussion and consideration.
Village President Steve Allen appeared to favor the property’s purchase.
“Although that parcel of land is verysmall, it’s a very important parcel of land if you look at the Master Plan for downtown parking,” he said. “That’s one of the key pieces of property that would need to be acquired in time.”
Acquisition of the property “wouldn’t mean a lot of (additional) parking spaces immediately, but it certainly would set up for the future expansion, which was on the order of about 60 or 70 additional parking spaces (according to the Master Plan),” Allen said.
As for the property’s appraised value, the village president said, “It’s not cheap, but it’s affordable. I think the longer we wait, the less affordable it will become.”
Allen suggested the possibility of the village taking out a loan to pay for the property.
Councilman Dave Bailey urged council to demonstrate its interest in the property now so as to avoid the possibility of losing it to another buyer.
“I would like the council to be as encouraging as possible toward the property owner short of legally committing ourselves,” he said. “My impression of just the atmosphere here is the council members, certainly including myself, are very much interested in acquiring the property.”
“I would hate to see the property owner decide that we weren’t really interested and go ahead and act without our having a chance to properly consider it,” Bailey said.
Councilwoman Renee Donovan said she agreed with Bailey’s comments and noted it was “extremely courteous” of Kammerer to notify the village of her desire to sell the property.