Abilene Weighs Sealed-Bid Process for City-Owned North Vine Property After Competing Interest

The Abilene City Commission discussed how to handle the sale of a city-owned property on North Vine Street after two adjoining property owners expressed competing interest.

Interim City Manager Quinday said the commission had previously authorized staff to negotiate a purchase price with Wally and Cindy Peterson, who had approached the city about the parcel. Since then, another party, who also owns adjoining property, contacted the city expressing interest in the same parcel. Staff recommended discontinuing the negotiated sale and instead offering the property through a sealed-bid process.

The other party told commissioners he had shown interest in the parcel for many years and asked for a sealed-bid process "allowing any interested parties a fair and equal opportunity." The Petersons objected, saying they had done the initiative work and believed they had a deal underway. "Please consider letting the deal go through," Cindy Peterson said.

Commissioner Kolhoff emphasized, "There is no deal. There has never been any deal. Any deal has to come through us as a public body." He suggested a sealed-bid process with a development requirement similar to the city's land bank covenants, under which property could revert to the city if not developed within a set period. City Attorney Martin explained the land bank rules require buyers to obtain a building permit and complete construction within specified periods, with reversion available as a remedy.

Commissioners noted the parcel is currently zoned R3 high-density residential and split-zoned with an adjacent parks and recreation parcel. Rather than voting, the commission agreed to bring the matter to a study session to establish a sale process.