The Voice of the Community Since 1909, Serving Moorcroft and Pine Haven, Wyoming

Cleaning up down town

The Moorcroft Town Council is in the process of putting the town-owned property currently housing the senior center on the west side of North Big Horn Avenue out for bid to sell at public auction.

Town Attorney Jim Peck had previously been asked to write an agreement/deed in which the buyer has a limited time to raze the buildings and clear all debris. Peck reported to the body at last week’s meeting that he had prepared the “call for bids” requested by the governing body.

The attorney then explained the procedure and actions the council should take to protect the town’s assets.

If the buyer does not clear the lot in the allotted time, the property will automatically revert back to the town and the buyer forfeits all money paid. If they do not build consistently with general “downtown business uses” on the property, the town has “right of reentry”, meaning that the town can reclaim the property. Both of these options are ensured by a quick claim deed provided to the town by the buyer at the time of sale.

On the other hand, the contiguous lot held by First National Bank of Gillette cannot be controlled by the town unless Moorcroft accepts ownership, which the bank has offered. The body and Peck discussed the advantages of accepting this donation. Councilman Ben Glenn opined, “You’re going to want to take all of them and have all of them removed.”

Mayor Dick Claar advocated accepting the split lot immediately north of the town hall from First National Bank and selling both properties, “Those need to come down; they’re not worth anything the way they are and we need to move forward.”

Peck was directed to contact the bank to formally accept the donation of lot two if they are still willing to convey it to the town, confirm all deeds and discuss dates for the agreement. Peck advised the council that, after procuring this essential information, they will be better prepared to make their formal decision and declare the lots surplus, beginning the process, at the next meeting.

 
 
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