10 - Sheriff's Sale of Belford Apartment Building
Item No. 10
memorandum
TO: City Council
John Godwin, City Manager
FROM: Stephanie H. Harris, City Attorney
SUBJECT: Sheriff’s sale of Belford Apartments building property
DATE: April 2, 2019
BACKGROUND: As you know, two parcels belonging to Boomer Trends Magazine, Inc.,
nd
to
owner of the Belford Apartments building, were auctioned at a sheriff’s sale on April 2
satisfy of the City’s judgment against Boomer Trends relating to civil penalties incurred for
failure to demolish the building pursuant to order of the Building and Standards Commission.
The Belford building sits on one of the lots, also known as 260 S. Main St., and a smaller lot lies
immediately north of and adjacent to the Belford building lot.South Main Acquisitions, L.L.C.
boughtthe small lot to the north of the Belford building. There were no bids on the Belford
property itself, and it did not sell.
STATUS OF ISSUE:Unless Council instructs me otherwise, I will have the Belford property
th
ready for the next sheriff’s sale date,which falls on Tuesday, May 7. At this juncture, I would
recommend putting the property up for sale under the same terms and conditions as before. The
Council has made clear that the City is prepared to release any remaining portion of the judgment
should a purchaser either demolish or rehabilitate the building according to the terms and
timetable set forth in its March 25th resolution,and to further incentivize the rehabilitation of the
building through a $50,000.00 economic development incentive should the purchaser rehabilitate
the building according to those conditions. Weare still hopeful that through the sale of the
property, we can help abate a dangerous structure and return the property to a functional and
attractive use in keeping with the historic character of the area.
BUDGET: Minimal budgetary impact, including publication of the new sale date, and minimal
court costs and sheriff’s costs.
RECOMMENDATION: Direct city attorney with respect to a possible second sheriff’s sale of
the Belford Apartment building property at 260 S. Main St.