GAS — City council members voted Tuesday evening to sell land to an unnamed developer who has proposed to build six upscale houses in the southwest part of town.
Mayor Darrel Catron said he visited with the developer about 12 lots Gas owns. Two lots — each 125 by 50 feet — would constitute a building site.
Council members agreed to sell the two-lot sites for $2,000 each plus $400 for utility connection fees. The utility fees would be rebated after a house was completed.
Catron said the houses would contain about 2,000 square feet, which he figured would lead them to be appraised in the $150,000 range.
The houses would be built within the Gas Neighborhood Revitalization Zone, which means the potential owners would receive a 95 percent rebate on property taxes the first six years, with taxes then reinstated at 20 percent a year thereafter.
Catron said houses likely would be built one at a time, and that another builder could take advantage of the city’s offer if the initial developer didn’t seize all of the available property.
In an otherwise brief session, council members were told preparation of an application for a $250,000 Community Development Block Grant was being completed. If successful, proceeds would be used to make improvements to the old Gas School, which Gas purchased two years ago from USD 257 for $1.
The plan is to have the school become a community center, and perhaps have a library and congregate meal location.
Council members began the process to condemn a vacant mobile home at 217 N. Main St., which has been determined to be “unsafe and dangerous.” A hearing was scheduled for Nov. 11.
Gas paves way for housing
