By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer
HOWARD – The site of the former North Star Motel at 1111 N. Military Ave. is being purchased by New Freedom Church for $145,000.
The Howard village board approved selling the 3.1 acres of village-owned land at its meeting Monday, Sept. 9.
The board’s motion includes a provision the village retains a right of first refusal on the future sale of the property.
Village Administrator Paul Evert said the sale had been worked out by the board last month in closed session for the lot the village obtained in 2014 for back taxes of approximately $48,000.
Evert’s report to the board also noted the village invested approximately $50,000 for asbestos abatement and building demolition at that site.
His report further stated the lot has 2 acres of usable property and had been listed for sale with few inquiries to purchase.
Evert said Community Development Director Dave Wiese was recently contacted by a realtor representing New Freedom Church, which is currently located in the village’s business park at 1255 Russett Court and had been looking for a location to build in Howard.
The church has been seeking a larger space to gather with its Vision Expansion fund-raising campaign, which has a $150,000 goal.
A campaign flyer from the church states NFC is seeking more visibility and to reach more people by having more room.
“(The Vision Expansion campaign) paves the way for the future of New Freedom Church and opens up new doors and possibilities to reach our community in a more effective way,” the flyer states.
Renderings of a new building have been posted on the church’s website.