By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
It’s become a loud call across the USA: Affordable housing is needed!
Decatur is no exception.
The city currently has a committee looking into housing possibly being constructed along First St., between Jefferson and Jackson streets.
Meanwhile, the Adams County Economic Development Corporation (ACEDC) recently announced the completion of a comprehensive housing strategy aimed at significantly expanding the production of new housing units in the area.
Now a new idea has popped up in Decatur: to develop housing on the long-vacant stretch of land on the west side of the railroad tracks south of the city’s police station and former RR depot which is now an entertainment center.
City Councilman Matt Dyer told council at its latest meeting that he had been approached by a couple of developers about possibly putting affordable housing on the city-owned property.
“One (developer) said he could put five duplexes comfortably in there,” Dyer said.
The other was talking about single-family homes.
In order to sell something of a certain value, the city is required by law to obtain two appraisals of the property, then set the price at the average of the two.
It would also have to decide whether to sell at auction or by putting the property on the market … plus some other hoops to jump through.
Dyer moved to have City Attorney Anne Razo explore obtaining appraisals to get the proverbial ball rolling.
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