Lands left from abandoned golf course and rec center projects remain unsold
By Kyle Carrozza, Staff Writer, The Times
COATESVILLE – The city failed to receive any bids on the sale of two properties last week.
The Conti property at Pratts Dam and North Manor Road, appraised at $925,000, and the property at 214 Mt. Airy Road, appraised at $320,000 were to be sold at an auction held by Barr and Davis Auctioneers.
Formerly part of controversial golf course and recreational center proposals, city officials seemed optimistic about selling the land earlier this summer. However, out of the eight parties that showed up to last week’s auction, none placed bids.
City Manager Kirby Hudson said that, while he did not personally speak to all of the potential buyers, the auctioneer told him that several developers were interested in buying. He also said that any plans for development would have to be approved by their respective townships; if the developers’ interests did not align with the townships’, the parties may have lost interest in bidding.
The city still hopes to sell the land in the near future, as they are paying property taxes on the parcels. Hudson said since the auction, he spoke with the auctioneer who told him that several people have shown interest in one or both of the properties.
“There is still activity going on, and there are people coming forth, but no offer has been made yet,” he said.
Hudson also said that he is baffled as to why the pieces did not sell.
“I still think that they will sell; it’s mind-boggling to me why they haven’t. You’re talking about two very nice pieces of property,” he said.
