Before the Oxford Village officials decide whether or not they wish to purchase the old township hall next door, they first want to see what it’s truly worth.
‘I think we should pay to have an appraisal done on our behalf,? said Councilman Chris Bishop. ‘Even if (the township) had an appraisal done, I wouldn’t be comfortable not having one done independently for ourselves.?
Council Tuesday night directed Manager Joe Young to solicit bid proposals for an appraisal of the vacant township offices at 18 W. Burdick Street.
‘I think it would nice if the village did perhaps own it one day,? Bishop said.
In early October, Coldwell Banker Shooltz Realty conducted a ‘pricing analysis? for the township that recommended its 2,500-square-foot building along with a majority of the parking lot behind it (which the township also owns) be listed at $392,000.
This price was based on comparisons to eight other properties sold in Oxford plus one that’s still on the market.
Village Planning Commissioner Paul Cervenak, who works as a real estate broker, told council to take the pricing analysis ‘with a grain of salt.?
‘That has no bearing on value whatsoever,? he said. ‘With all due respect to my industry, those are many times used as an incentive to get a listing.?
Trying to sell property ‘listed with the higher projected value? from a broker can leave the seller ‘sitting on the property? because it’s not a ‘realistic value,? according to Cervenak.
‘As a taxpayer, I would rather have you spend the money on an appraisal and find out what it’s truly worth rather than just accept what the township is saying it’s worth,? said DDA member Sue Bossardet, who was sitting in the audience.
Despite the pricing analysis provided, township Trustee Charles Kniffen, who was in attendance at the council meeting, noted, ‘Nobody on the township board set a value on the property.?
Council President George Del Vigna repeatedly made the point that before the village spends any money on an appraisal, officials should first determine whether or not they’re interested in buying the old hall.
‘Is there a real need for this?? asked village resident Merle Smith. ‘I can’t see spending money to appraise property if the village does not need the property.?
‘No ? not that I see,? replied Del Vigna.
‘It’s not like we need that building,? said Councilperson Teri Stiles. ‘I think it’s a great idea to investigate, but also remember it would be nice to put it back on the tax rolls.?
Clerk/Assistant Manager Christine Burns noted that township Supervisor Bill Dunn informed her a church inquired about the old hall.
‘In which case, it would not be on the tax rolls anyway,? she said.
Whatever happens to the old township hall, Young noted the parking lot owned by the township has to remain as is due to deed restrictions.
‘The parking lot has to stay a parking lot,? according to the manager.