Unwanted home is in prime spot

What to do with a home and lot jointly owned by the county and Shelbyville that no one wants to buy was a topic of discussion for the city council, with suggestions that removing the structure would help to make it more attractive.

Both governments have sought a buyer for several years for property at 732 N. Main St., which once served as the Child Development Center, but neither has had any results.

The property had an estimated market value in 2010 of $325,000. The building is 4,628 square feet on a 0.9 acre lot, and is next to the newly opened Waffle House.

Tear it down?

In August, it was recommended that the city advertise for bids once again due to inquiries earlier in the year, but city recorder Vickie Haskins told the council Tuesday that while they had received a few calls, no one had officially responded to the offer.

City manager Jay Johnson suggested, "if the house wasn't there, the property would probably be worth more." Johnson also said that suggestion would involve expenses of tearing down the home.

Mayor Wallace Cartwright pointed out that if the city chose that route, the cost of disposing of the remains would be more expensive than the demolition itself, with Johnson saying it would cost roughly $20,000.

Another suggestion made by council members involved moving the home to a new location, and Johnson said that the city could advertise proposals to do that. He added that city staff would draft the proposal.

Home history

The former home of the Child Development Center later served as a safe house for interviewing suspected child abuse victims.

In 2008, the council was asked that the building be used as a possible homeless shelter and child care center, but the council took issue with such a facility at that location.

Homeless advocate Dr. Carl Bailey returned in 2009, asking that it be used for low-cost child care services for primarily "at-or-below-poverty level" single parent families, but the idea never got off the ground because council members wanted the property sold.

In December 2009, the county commissioners' courthouse and property committee recommended a proposal that the building be sold and the proceeds applied towards the cost of developing an industrial park.

Then-city council member Lee Roy Cunningham proposed the transaction, saying proceeds could be used to purchase property east of Shelbyville, along the route of the new bypass, for the proposed park.