For a mere $124,900 this can be yours.
The lot from a recently "demo-ed" building owned by Samuel and Cynthia Bigler is now for sale for an asking price of $124,900, according to a listing on realtor.com. The structure, at 421/423 Avenue G (sometimes referred to as 421 Walnut Street), was formerly a 6-unit apartment building that was condemned in June 2015 and suffered a fire the following September. The building was considered historic, because it was originally a 19th-century livery stable.
421/423 Avenue G as it appeared after the 2015 fire.
At an August 17, 2016 meeting of the Historic Architectural Review Board, Samuel Bigler laid out costs for a proposed restoration of the building totaling over $400,000. He said the numbers were based on an assessment by a restoration company and by three engineers, two of whom specialize in older buildings. The Biglers sought permission from HARB to instead demolish the building.
Sam Bigler said he had received $308,000 from his insurance company, because the building was a "total loss," as determined by three engineers.
The Biglers sought permission from HARB to demolish 421/423 Avenue G at its August 17, 2016 meeting.
Bigler said, "We've known for sometime that the building is a total loss."
During the discussion, Cynthia Bigler said, "It sounds like you're saying we didn't really care about this building. This building is one of our larger investments. We've cared about this building for more than 20 years. Anytime we had any issues with anything they were addressed. We have this building, that now we don't have. We had $800 times five per month. That property was up kept."
Permission was granted, and the building was subsequently demolished a few months ago.
The current "for sale" listing is shown below:
12 comments:
OMG Columbia Boro Realtors will buy the Walnut St property and we will build apartments saying it will pay for itself in rentals. Houses at McGinness too. And if the boro moves to N. 5th St there will be another eyesore on Locust St. that should stay where it is. Think of the poor kids on that property not just what glory you can get spending our tax money. Locust St our main street looks terrible with all the empty bldgs. All you see in this town are antique shops. We need to band together and let council know we had enough, fill the meeting room.
I don't care if every single store front is an antique shop. As long as they are all occupied.
If it does not sell, borough will buy it to assist Bigler's
If the antique stores are doing well, it would be possible other types of small businesses could open.It comes to marketing and also support of local citizens to help support new ventures. Again, the hope is to attract outsider visitors to come and enjoy. Just turn your eyes on Lititz. Small Town that is focused. It took time and patience,not back stabbing. Not everything will work,but you do not know unless you try it.
Back in the 80's there were a few people who had a vision for the downtown which included added parking, pushing for antique and specialty stores and even making the 300 and 400 blocks of Locust Street a walking plaza. Imagine if this would have happened...instead, the mayor and others scoffed at the idea, still having an image of a downtown of the 50's in their heads. (This would be the same mayor who battled against, and won, an expansion of Colonial Metals which would have added numerous, local, jobs all because she did not like the owner.)
I agree with the comment that the contributor would not care if all the store fronts were an antique shops...what would you like to see? Actually, these types of shops draw people...Just ask the shop owners in Lititz!
Borough should buy this property. I think it would be an excellent location for the trolley shop. They could perform maintenance on the trolley and open a small trolley shop within the building. Just think of all the tee-shirts they could sell. Perhaps all the people from the rail trail would purchase a soft drink and ice cream cone.
There potential here folks just like the airport this would be an excellent investment for the borough. Hope they purchase it tomorrow before its gone.
Columbia officials, read Friday's LNP, see how Lititz gets things done. As I posted earlier,contact them and get ideas.
I lived through what anonymous 3 said. I was to be part of the downtown Plaza. Instead, I left town, and pay taxes for an empty building. You got exactly what you voted for Columbia.
I too wonder what the heck the Biglers have on the Boro.....or why the Zoning officer allowed it to continue.....they SHOULD have been shut down YEARS ago, along with MANY more slum lords. Kudos to cleaning up the BOro! Thank you and please continue to make a difference!!!! (It's a shame this wasn't done for the past 15 years.....)
very pleased with the NEW leadership in the Code Dept. Things are changing.....for the better!!!! Should have done this years ago.
Lol what changes???
After they hammer land lords who do you think is next?
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