The Tracy EDA at last week’s meeting unanimously voted to purchase a residential lot for $100.
The parcel of land is at the corner of Rowland and 1st streets, right across the street from the Church of Christ, at 79 1st St.
The lot was once occupied by a duplex, which was razed years ago. The owner had one party interested in purchasing the land to store equipment on, but that person backed out of the deal.
“We would be responsible to pay the $100 and write up the quick-claim deed and other paperwork and file the deed.
“All-in, I doubt we’d even have $1,500 into it,” Tracy Community Development Director Tom Dobson said.
“Are you open to that?” Dobson asked EDA board members.
“I’d say buy it,” EDA member Dave Tiegs said. “Assuming we’re going to end up with that blue house and taking it down, then we would at last have another lot that’s viable.”
The lot is adjacent to a vacant house, which the City might wind up tearing down and combining the two lots.
The EDA would need to get the city Council’s blessing before moving forward.
EDA member Dave Dieter asked what value would the lot have to the EDA if it buys the lot. Dobson intimated that on its own, the lot wouldn’t serve much of a purpose, but combined with the house next to it, there could be some potential.
“The blue house actually accesses the alley, so you could do a garage off the alley,” Dobson said.
The house itself has a Rowland St. address, while the open lot is on 1st St.
Tiegs motioned to purchase the lot, with a second by Scott Johnson. The city council approved the purchase Monday. The purchase will cost the City $58 in annual taxes.
• Dobson reported that the 2nd St. East house that was constructed by Tracy Area High School students in Karl Campbell’s trades class, is looking good, and basement floors have remained dry through recent rain events. Plumbing and HVAC roughin is nearly complete and some electrical work has begun. The City Public Works crew will dig in sewer and water lines as the weather allows.
