Mt. Zion Baptist Church to Purchase City Property

A local church in Toccoa will purchase surplus property currently owned by the City.

Last month, City Manager Billy Morse requested the Board of Commissioners allow him to put property at the corner of Whitman and South Tallulah Sts up for sale.

Morse said the property had been purchased in the early ’80’s to build extra city parking, but no lot had been been built and the property has sat vacant ever since.

At Monday’s City Commission meeting, Morse said he had received an offer for the lot.

“On June 10th, the City Commission declared the property as surplus and directed the staff to seek requests for proposal from those interested in acquiring the property,” Morse said. “The request for proposals was advertised in the newspaper and one proposal was received from Mt. Zion Baptist Church.”

Earlier, Morse said several groups were interested in the property, but he said Monday that only Mt. Zion Baptist Church had made a hard offer.

“The City property joins the Church’s parsonage,” he said. “The Church has maintained the property in the past and said they will continue to do so. They have in their letter several potential uses, but no timetable has been established. The Church is offering $5,000 for the lot.”

Some of the uses suggested in their proposal letter includes building an extension to the parsonage, putting in a garden and other landscaping, putting in additional parking, or using it as a gathering area for church functions.

“Mayor I think it’s worth noting that the value of the land is $2,500 according to what the County has on their assessment,” said Commissioner Terry Carter. “So, I think what they’re offering is more than fair. It’s worth noting as well that they’ve owned property next door to this lot and have maintained it and had a community garden at one time. So, I think it’s an appropriate solution.”

Commissioner Terry Carter noted their offer was a good one considering the value of the lot and recommended it be accepted.

 

After hearing from Carter, the Commission voted unanimously to sell the property to Mt. Zion Baptist Church.