At the last City Council meeting one item pertained to the sale of City-owned residential property on Charles Street in Ward One. This single-family home had previously been extensively rehabilitated by the City via the use of HUD funds. It was later acquired through a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure from the previous owners. The sale price resulted in a reported loss in the vicinity of $15,000.
A little more than one month prior to the Charles Street home sale, the City sold a so-called "FHA Dollar Home" at 1018 Hughes Street also in Ward One for $60,000. I have contributed several posts on this property and nine other "Dollar Homes" that resulted in a substantial amount of HUD funds that were wasted by City staff neglect and poor project planning.
Given the above, my questions regarding City real property acquisition policies are as follows:
1) Does the City of Middletown have real property acquisition policies? If not, why not?
2) Was the pending sale of 1018 Hughest Street brought before the City Council late last year? If required, why not?
3) Is the Community Revitalization Department or previous Planning Department officials held accountable when they undertake projects that ultimately result in a loss of HUD funds?
Josh, I would appreciate your looking into this matter also. Since both properties are situated in Ward One it's unfortunate that the respective City Council member did not look into background information on these discounted residential property sales. And, has Mr. Armbruster ever botherd to return the many phone calls and e-mails that Miss Vivian has sent to him regarding the Historic Pioneer Cemetery?