The Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority (EDA) had to hold a special meeting to do so, but the EDA reached agreement with a potential buyer on the purchase of a lot in the Cedar Grove Business Park this week.
Realtor Tim Kennedy came before the EDA at its October 13 meeting with a purchase offer for Lot 2, Block 7 in the business park. Kennedy represented contractor Max Wahlers who wanted to buy a lot to build a warehouse to house his construction materials. Kennedy said Wahlers would like to complete the purchase with a closing of October 27 or sooner.
Wahlers offered $22,500, cash, for the lot. The Realtor in charge of marketing and selling the lots for the EDA, Jack McHugh said the lot was valued at $45,000. EDA Board Member Heidi Doo-Kirk noted that the lot in question is one of the nicest in the business park and said, “$22,500 is hard to swallow.”
The EDA closed its regular meeting to discuss the purchase price and when it reopened a unanimous motion was passed to direct Jack McHugh to negotiate the possible sale within the parameters set in the closed meeting.
McHugh and Kennedy had a quick discussion and Kennedy told the EDA Board he had an authorization from his client to go as high as $27,500. “With your offer of $30,000, I’m at a standstill.”
Kennedy said he would have to talk to his client, which he did and he contacted EDA Board Member Anton Moody to let him know Wahlers was withdrawing his offer.
However, Wahlers, through Realtor Kennedy, made another purchase offer of $27,500. Small Business Development Center (SBDC) representative Pat Campanaro, who also provides administrative assistance for the EDA, set up a special meeting for October 27 so the EDA board could consider the new offer.
Board Member Doo-Kirk was not able to be at the meeting and Campanaro advised the board that she had correspondence from Doo- Kirk that she was not in favor of this sale at that price.
The EDA board—with members Howard Hedstrom, Scott Harrison, Anton Moody, and Hal Greenwood present—passed a motion to agree to the purchase price of $27,500.
A public hearing must be held before every Cedar Grove Business Park lot sale, so that hearing was scheduled for Tuesday, November 3 at 9 a.m. at Grand Marais City Hall.
New EDA member appointed
The EDA was down one member with the resignation of Abby Tofte, who represented the county on the joint city/county authority. At the October 27 county board meeting, commissioners considered the applications received to fill that vacancy.
Applications were received from Bev Green and Carol Mork, both of Grand Marais. Green is in Commissioner Jan Sivertson’s district and Mork is in Commissioner Frank Moe’s district.
Noting that both women were very well qualified, a motion passed to appoint Mork because of her background in housing programs and because she can add representation from the east end of the county.
Noting that Green is very involved in a number of issues, Commissioner Moe said, “I hope Bev will still come to our meetings.”
Green assured the county board and EDA that she would still participate in some manner.
Leave a Reply