Yellowstone County approves auction of downtown office building

A two-story downtown office building with parking will be auctioned as part of Yellowstone Countys plans to remodel the courthouse.

County commissioners on Tuesday adopted a resolution to sell on April 1 the brick building at 214 N. 24th St. No one commented during a public hearing.

The commission also reduced its minimum bid to $293,000, which is the buildings estimated fair market value based on an appraisal conducted for the county by Charlie Hamwey, of Real Estate by Hamwey.

The county initially had set a minimum bid of $320,000.

Finance Director Scott Turner recommended reducing the minimum price closer to the fair market value and to hope the auction will have competitive bidding so the county can proceed with its remodeling plans.

If the county didnt sell the building for $320,000, it could not accept a lower bid and would have to try again at another auction, said Dan Schwarz, chief deputy county attorney. Schwarz also said hes shown the property to a few prospective buyers.

The county plans to use sale proceeds toward construction of a new building at MetraPark for the countys Extension Service, which is located in the courthouse. Moving Extension to MetraPark would provide courthouse space for the expansion of the county attorneys office and relocation of other offices within the courthouse. The county bought the brick building in a complicated land deal to make room for the new federal courthouse.

See more here:
Yellowstone County approves auction of downtown office building