BELLA VISTA — Mayor Frank Anderson asked aldermen to consider purchasing the buildings housing the Police and Fire departments in the city from the Property Owners Association.
Anderson presented a draft of a response letter to association General Manager Tommy Bailey at a work session Wednesday.
Anderson received a letter from Bailey on Dec. 3 notifying him that the rent for all three buildings — Station No. 1 and the Police Department at Town Center, Station No. 2 on Trafalgar Road and Station No. 3 on Glasgow Road in the Highlands — would increase to more than $14,000 per month from the current $650 per month starting Jan. 1.
The increased figure came from a market rental study completed by Rife & Company in March. The buildings have been used by the city since fire and police services were taken over in 2007. When the association transferred fire and police equipment, the real estate was not included, but the buildings were leased to the city at a nominal rate.
In Anderson’s response, he suggests the city purchase the buildings at market value less 30 percent for Stations No. 1 and 2, minus $400,000 for renovations at Station No. 1.
Anderson’s letter also states the building at Station No. 3 is inadequate for future use, therefore the city would be willing to pay slightly more than the cost of the land.
The total proposed purchase price is $1.8 million.
If the proposal is accepted, the letter said the city expects to retain the current lease agreement until closing. If the sale cannot be made, the letter states the city will proceed to vacate the buildings.
Alderman Doug Farner said even though the residents of Bella Vista would pay for buildings with tax dollars they have already paid for with association assessments, it is still “a heck of a lot less” than it would cost to buy land and build new buildings.
Alderman Dick Rooney agreed, saying it looks like the city doesn’t have much of a choice. The buildings are not meeting the city’s needs as they are now, and they can’t be worth more than the mayor intends to offer, he said.
The association says it will begin collecting the increased amount Jan. 1. A proposal has not yet been sent to Bailey, as aldermen will discuss it further at the regular council meeting set for 6:30 p.m. Monday at Highlands Crossing Center.