By Kevin Boneske
Staff Writer
SUAMICO – Now that work has begun on a new Fire Station No. 1, the village board wants to know what the site of the existing station is worth.
The board decided Monday, May 18, to direct staff to obtain a professional appraisal for the parcel.
Village Administrator Alex Kaker said there are few rules regulating the sale of village property.
“As long as we sell it for something near market value, we should be OK,” he said.
Board members briefly discussed how they thought the parcel should be sold and to whom.
Trustee Dan Roddan said he favored a process similar to how the former village hall site was sold.
“I think precedence works,” Roddan said. “Keep doing what we did. The other building sold quick.”
Trustee Michelle Eckert suggested selling the parcel to the highest bidder for commercial use.
Trustee Sky Van Rossum said it should be sold to the highest bidder with the use by the buyer fitting in with the surrounding property.
Village President Laura Nelson said the highest bidder should take precedence, whether for commercial or residential use.
“If they can find a use for it that fits the area, and they’re the highest bidder, go for it,” Nelson said.
The existing Fire Station No. 1 parcel at 1745 Riverside Dr. is listed in Brown County property records as having .587 acres
The new Fire Station No. 1 site at the intersection of West Deerfield Lane and Riverside Drive has 1.9 acres.
The new building, which is scheduled for completion next year, will have more than 20,000 square feet with two stories and six apparatus bays.
Another parcel sold
After meeting in closed session, Kaker said the board accepted an offer from Lisa Dreher and Kyle Adams to sell a village-owned, .32-acre parcel at 552 Resort Rd.
Kaker said the buyers own a parcel adjacent to the north of where they purchased the land.