ROGERS -- The City Council approved selling two buildings including a vacant fire station during its meeting Tuesday.
The Fire Department stopped using the fire station at 1907 South 17 St. in July. It was replaced by a new station at 1800 W. New Hope Road.
Tom Jenkins, Rogers fire chief, said the department outgrew the station built in the 1970s. He said pumper trucks were smaller at the time. He also said ambulances weren't used when it was built.
The station also is in a residential area which made it difficult for fire trucks to respond to calls quickly, Jenkins said.
Jenkins said the new $2.3 million building will cut response times by 20 to 30 seconds.
A house at 4305 W. Olive St. also will be sold.
The house was acquired by the city about five years ago, said Steve Glass, Rogers transportation and planning director. He said easements were needed from the property to complete construction on Olive Street in the area.
Chris Griffin, Rogers staff attorney, said the house was left with little property after easements were removed. He said the city decided to purchase the entire property.
The council also approved waiving a competitive bidding process for real estate agents.
State law isn't clear on how cities should sell property, Griffin said during the meeting.
"Real estate agents are paid by commission on the sale," Griffin said. "We don't know what the commission will be."
Griffin said city officials will make a list of Realtors in the city. He said the Realtor will then be randomly selected.
"We want to be careful about not purposely picking someone that has a relationship with a city official," Griffin said.
NW News on 11/11/2015