Washington County property evaluated

WASHINGTON — Washington County Supervisors received a market analysis for government-owned property at 302 West Main Street last week.

Real Estate Agent Heather Marek said the lot’s marketable value came in between $15,000 and $20,000, well below the roughly $70,000 spent by the county on demolition costs for the land’s previous structure.

“The current vacant lot price in Washington is selling for around $35,000 and those are lots with double the square footage of the lot next to the courthouse,” Marek wrote in an email to supervisors. “Unfortunately, recouping your investment of $70,000 in the lot does not seem feasible at this point in time.”

The county’s plan for the lot in light of the new price estimate is unclear.

“It’s nice information, we’ll use it later if it comes up,” Supervisor Jack Seward Jr. said. “There’s no action to take.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com