SELLING CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES

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   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?

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Nelson R. Self Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Citizen Joined: Oct 03 2009 Status: Offline Points: 279	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nelson R. Self Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: SELLING CITY-OWNED PROPERTIES Posted: Jan 26 2010 at 7:14pm
	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?

Nelson R. Self Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List MUSA Citizen Joined: Oct 03 2009 Status: Offline Points: 279	Post Options Post Reply Quote Nelson R. Self Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: Jan 27 2010 at 8:59am
	It was only one year ago that Bill Becker, David Schiavone and Tony Marconi raised serious questions to former Community Revitalization Director Ginger Smith at a City Council meeting. They openly expressed concerns over the poor record of the City in HUD-funded residential purchase/rehab/resale plus new construction programs. At that time they questioned Miss Judy as to the possibility of amending the $2.144 million HUD Neighborhood Stabilization Program - Round One grant. They preferred residential residential property demolition rather than another effort like "Maple Park New Single-Family Housing" or "FHA Dollar Homes Rehab" programs. Recently, six of the 10 dollar homes to be rehabilitated/resold were demolished. And, the Maple Park Development is still not finished after six years and subsidies of $700,000+ in HUD funds. As noted recently to Joshua Laubach and A.J. Smith, how many of the 20 vacant, foreclosed homes has the City purchased/rehabilitated/resold via the NSP-1 grant? That remains a very interesting matter. I wonder how much more money will be lost in this new learning exercise??