No bids for food pantry building

By Sarah Pridgeon

After the Sundance Food Pantry vacated the city-owned building that had housed it for several years, the council decided it was finally time to get rid of it. Unfortunately, reported Clerk Treasurer Kathy Lenz last week, there was little interest from the public.

The council decided to put the building out for bid without the land on which it sits. A potential buyer would need to haul the structure away.

This decision was reached because, while attractive and holding sentimental value for some, the old building is expensive to maintain. Mayor Paul Brooks also suggested that the city could make use of the land, possibly for low income senior housing.

Lenz asked the council for direction, having received no bids on the building. Mayor Brooks was surprised, stating that he has heard from a number of people in the past that they would love to own the old house.

“Obviously, they don’t love it enough to spend money on it,” he said lightheartedly.

Council Member Joe Wilson wondered whether winter is the optimal time to sell the building as potential buyers may balk at the idea of shifting it during snowy weather. Council Member Brad Marchant agreed and suggested waiting until closer to spring to put the building out for bid again.