(8/26) At the rescheduled August 16 town council meeting, which as noted in the article above, lack a quorum, Burgess Barnes informed those present that the town had closed on selling the previously determined town lot. After settlements, the check to the town is a little over $138,000, which has been deposited and will show up on September’s finances.
In 2018, under direction from the former town administration, Woodsboro purchased a lot at 503 South Main Street, which was considered the prime location for an official town hall. Unfortunately for the town, the width of the lot turned out to not be large enough for the fit of the building. The town originally brought the property for $90,000 in 2018.
While the lot turned out to not meet the needs of the anticipated town hall structure, it is still considered "prime real estate" on Main Street, with several developers voicing interest in purchasing, according to Barnes.
Extensive discussion was held with town officials as well as the project engineer, architect, and the County of Frederick. Following the development of funding requests, the town began researching other options and the owner of the JR Sports Bar and Restaurant, at 605 South Main Street, expressed interest in selling the lot.
The town council jumped at the chance to purchase the JR Sports Bar and Restaurant lot, which was almost double the size of the original town hall lot location. The new location has also helped eliminate code issues regarding adjustment property. The town signed a contract to purchase the latest property at the end of April.
Following the purchase of the JR Sports Bar and Restaurant lot, the council approved putting the former potential town hall lot on the market at its July 12 meeting.
"The close out was real smooth," Barnes said, noting the purchaser is potentially planning to build a house.
Work on the demolition of the JR’s Sports Bar and Restaurant to make room for the new town hall is on hold pending Potomac Edison removal of overhead electrical lines. Once that is completed, demolition can commence.
The Woodsboro Volunteer Fire Company has picked through the building for anything left that they could use. Barnes said he has invited American Legion Post 282 to do the same thing. "There is not much left in the building," Barnes said, but you never know and it would be a same to waste something if it can still be put to good use.
Barnes noted the JR’s was broken into recently and said the sooner JR’s is demolished and work begun on the new building, the better.
The town currently hosts its monthly burgess and council meetings at Saint John’s United Church of God at North Second Street.
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