Opening of Bids - Sale of City Property - Thomas Underly

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PROCEDURES FOR PURCHASE OF CITY -OWNED VACANT PROPERTIES State law outlines procedures for disposing of property owned by local government. These procedures vary considerably based on several factors. One factor is which entity of the City of South Bend owns the property -the Board of Public Works, the Redevelopment Commission, the Redevelopment Authority, or the Parks & Recreation Department. Once you've identified that the property is owned by the City*, we suggest emailing anetter or calling Andrew Netter of the Department of Community Investment at 574-235-5931 for assistance. He will then let you know how to proceed. It is very likely it will take at least three months to complete this process. One of the most frequent requests is to purchase a vacant lot abutting one's own property. If the property in question is owned by the Board of Public Works, has an assessed value of less than $6,000 and the abutting property owner is current on all property taxes s/he owns, this can be relatively easy process -though we do need to follow certain procedures as follows: 1. Complete attached application and mail to: Community Investment City of South Bend 1400S County -City Building 227 W. Jeffersin Blvd. South Bend, IN -4 -1601 2. Application is sent tc arious City departments for review and recommendation. 3. The City will perform t'i : following functions; • Determine which process must be followed for the property of interest. • Determine if an appraisal is required (only if assessed over $6,000.). • Obtain appraisal if necessary. • Determine if applicant is current on property taxes. • Inform applicant of minimum bid required for the sale of the property. 4. Request for bids advertised in newspaper. 5. Notice sent to abutting property owners. 6. Sealed bids received from interested parties. 7. Determination of sale to most appropriate bidder (might not be applicant with initial interest). Preference is given to abutting landowners. 8. Purchase Agreement and Award Letter sent to successful bidder. 9. Clerk of the Board receives signed Purchase Agreement and payment from successful bidder. 10. City prepares and records deed and mails deed to successful bidder. *To find key number or property address next door, you may want to use www.Macoggis.com or contact County Assessor for assistance 574-235-9523.