MARQUETTE - The Marquette County Board approved a bid at this week's meeting for cleaning up a burned out building in downtown Ishpeming, along with the purchase of nine properties by the Marquette County Land Bank Authority.
Marquette County Treasurer Anne Giroux foreclosed on 46 properties April 2, including a building at the corner of Division and Lake streets in Ishpeming that was destroyed by a fire in October 2010.
Giroux said the property consists of a basement full of the burned remains of the structure, which is fenced and covered with a tarp.
Article Photos
A total of $33,750 from Marquette County’s foreclosure fund will be used to clean up the remnants of a burned out building in downtown Ishpeming. (Journal photo by Johanna Boyle)
"The remains include asbestos containing material and must be disposed of as hazardous waste," Giroux told the board in a memorandum.
The treasurer can use funds from the foreclosure fund to clean up hazardous properties. The 2011 fund balance of the foreclosure fund was $356,800.
"I feel this property warrants clean-up utilizing foreclosure fund dollars," Giroux said.
Bids were solicited and two were received, which were within $23 of each other. Moyle Trucking & Excavating Inc. of Ishpeming bid lowest at $33,727. The second bid was submitted by Upper Peninsula Abatement Co. Inc. of Negaunee at $33,750.
Though Moyle was the low bidder, the county board awarded the bid to the Upper Peninsula Abatement Co. because Moyle was not licensed and accredited to remove asbestos.
"Their plan is to obtain the licensure/accreditation prior to performing the work," Giroux said. "As such, their experience is limited."
In addition to that property foreclosed on in April, the county land bank authority had an interest in acquiring nine for reuse or demolition. The authority works with local governmental units on the properties.
The minimum bid for the nine properties was $55,708, which will come from the land bank authority. Giroux described the properties to the board. They include:
- Two duplex units at K.I. Sawyer. The authority has successfully marketed and sold 12 similar units to owner occupants in 2010 and 2011 and plans to do the same this year. The authority has already received a verbal purchase offer for one of the units. Minimum bid for the two parcels was $9,395.
- A residential structure in Champion Township in very poor condition. The authority has received bids for demolition. Minimum bid for the parcel was $1,128.
- An 8-unit residential structure at K.I. Sawyer, which is in very poor condition and bids have been received for demolition. The township assessor and board of review are working with the authority with the taxable value based on condition expected to decrease, lowering the minimum bid from the current $23,407.
- A residential structure in poor condition in Michigamme Township. The authority plans to work with the township to demolish the building. Minimum bid was $3,062.
- A residential structure in the city of Ishpeming which is in good condition and is considered marketable. The authority said it believes it can obtain a higher sales price marketing through a realtor than selling it at a tax sale. The minimum bid is $5,438.
- A residential structure in Ishpeming in poor condition, which the authority plans to work with the city on to demolish. Minimum bid was $4,824.
- A residential structure in the city of Negaunee in good condition, which the authority has already accepted an offer for. Minimum bid was $5,648.
- A vacant lot in the city of Ishpeming an adjoining property owner has offered to pay the minimum bid of $2,806. The lot has limited marketability.
"If the land bank does not acquire these properties, they will go through the normal tax sale/auction process," Giroux told the board in a memo. "The land bank and the townships and cities in which these properties are located do not feel it is in the best interest of the community to allow these properties to be sold at public auction to the highest bidder."
John Pepin can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. His email address is jpepin@miningjournal.net.