City of Minto to demolish long-time grocery store
Gudajtes Store to be purchased by city
MINTO –The building that has been home to Minto’s longtime grocery store will be torn down. After many years and many owners, the building, now known as the “Gudajtes Store,” will be purchased by the City of Minto.
At a special meeting of the Minto City Council held last Wednesday at noon, the council voted to purchase the store and property from its current owner, Gudajtes Properties, LLC. Council members Keith Shutt and Larry Jamison moved and seconded a motion to purchase the structure for $40,000 and proceed with demolition of the structure. The motion passed with a two to one vote. The lone dissenting vote came from councilman Jim Lobsinger. Councilman Craig Nice was absent.
According to Mayor Lane Kelly, the purchase price of $40,000 includes the store, the lot and the existing equipment and fixtures. Gudajtes Properties, LLC would also make all taxes due on the property current as of the purchase date.
Discussion ensued regarding the cost of the demolition and the potential uses for the property once the lot is cleaned up. “I am concerned that it may become a “white elephant,” said Jim Lobsinger. “There may be more financial costs arising from the purchase than we currently anticipate.”
Following his vote in favor of the motion to purchase the building, Larry Jamison said “I thought it was the thing to do because the building was in tough shape and the city could better utilize the area.”
The city will use existing dollars available in the economic development fund to purchase the building. The fund is supported by city sales taxes and is earmarked for infrastructure, property and economic development purposes.