RUSHVILLE —
The Rush County Commissioners met Monday and dealt with a brief agenda. It was the final topic that raised the most questions from those in attendance.
A property in the 600 block of North Perkins Street that served as home to assorted schools over the years has been vacant for several years. The county assumed ownership of the property and since that time no taxes have been collected on it.
In recent years a number of efforts to sell the property have Òfallen through for different reasons.
According to commissioner Tom Barnes, nearby residents and property owners in close proximity to the vacant lot have logged a number of complaints about the site.
The county has paid for tests on the grounds, paid for clean up efforts and been responsible for mowing and keeping the weeds cut down.
Prior to beginning the INDOT Main Street project more that 18 months ago, personnel from Sunesis Construction approached the county leaders requesting permission to utilize the property as a staging area for supplies and equipment during the road improvement project.
The county leaders agreed with the stipulation that should a means to transfer ownership of the lot arise Sunesis Construction would vacate the property and leave it in equal or better shape than when they arrived.
Representatives from Phoenix Lodge #62 of the Free and Accepted Masons inquired about the property earlier this year, with the idea of building a new lodge.
The Masons are a not-for profit organization and, according to county attorney Leigh Morning, ownership of the property can be transferred to a 501c non-profit organization, following a legal notice to that effect being made.
Some of those persons in attendance at Monday's meeting inquired as to why another attempt to sell the property is not being considered.
During the meeting, it was learned that in order to sell the property a lengthy process including two property assessments is required.
Representatives from the local Libertarian Party in attendance disagreed with the county leaders' decision to transfer the property and requested that the property be placed up for sale again.
"We have tried a number of times and have had no serious takers. For various reasons all offers were pulled off the table," Barnes said.
"This is a means to get the property in question improved and back on the tax roll in a positive sense," Barnes said.
When asked about the "out" clause with Sunesis, the county leader said that it will complicate that agreement but that the county leaders were willing to proceed.
Following additional discussion a motion was made to begin the transfer process and, in turn, inform Sunesis Construction of the county leaders' decision. The commissioners voted unanimously to move forward and start the process to transfer the property.
Frank Denzler can be contacted at (765) 932-2222 ext. 106 or via e-mail at frank.denzler@rushvillerepublican.com. Visit our Web site at www.rushvillerepublican.com.
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Related Photos
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Republican photo by Frank Denzler Commissioners Tom Barnes (left) and Marvin Cole (right) look over paperwork submitted for consideration at Monday's meeting.
Discussion
Former school property topic of discussion
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