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Land swap debate continues

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By Ryan Gauthier, Staff Writer 10:12 PM Tuesday, March 16, 2010

MIDDLETOWN — A $95,000 land swap set to be considered by City Council as an emergency was almost eliminated entirely from the group’s agenda Tuesday night, March 16.

Council was asked to authorize purchase of the former Middletown Antique Mall, 1607 Central Ave., for $90,000, then turn around and trade that land with Midtown Custom Cabinets for its property at 1316 Vail Ave. The city would also have provided Midtown Custom Cabinets with $5,000 to help cover some of its moving costs.

With Councilman Jim Armbruster absent after undergoing open-heart surgery this weekend and an unspecified member of council unable to vote on the ordinance due to a conflict of interest, city staff recommended the group strike the legislation and instead consider it as an emergency during a future meeting.

When council members seemed determined to discuss the ordinance, City Manager Judy Gilleland proposed the matter be hashed out in executive session.

Josh Laubach, 3rd Ward Councilman, pushed to debate the legislation during the meeting itself, as he said “a few people are skeptical about this deal.”

“I think it would not look good were we to remove it, go into executive session, then pass it as an emergency at a later date,” Laubach said.

Considering records from the Butler County auditor show the Central Avenue property as selling for $50,000 less than one month ago, Councilman A.J. Smith said he didn’t feel right paying $90,000 for it.

“I’m a little uncomfortable doing this type of government intervention,” Smith said. “If this gentleman just bought the property to rent it out, why can’t they just go to the owner and say they want to rent this space or potentially buy it from him?”

Smith said he will likely not support the second reading of the ordinance as it stands, as he said “that’s a heck of a lot of money to waste.”

Robinette said he was unable to negotiate the current owner of the Central Avenue site down from his $90,000 asking price, but as the Vail Avenue site was independently appraised at $85,000 he thought the land swap still made sense.

“I would suggest the individual who bought the property on Central made a very good purchase,” Robinette said. “It had been taken over by a bank who was looking to move it off of their books. It doesn’t change the perception of the issue, but it is currently valued at $125,000.”

Council members will consider the ordinance as a second reading on April 6.

Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2871 or at rgauthier@coxohio.com.

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