Norway to offer city property for sale

Redline Sport owner can match any bids on parcel near business

NORWAY -- A parcel of city land near Redline Sport and Marine on U.S. 2 in Norway will be offered for sale, but Redline owner Ben Peterson will have a chance to match any bids.

Norway City Council over the past year has considered an offer from Peterson to purchase the land.

Peterson initially expressed interest in the property in June 2022 when it was zoned residential R-2. City staff and the Planning Commission, however, recommended the property could be better used if it was rezoned business B-3.

After re-zoning the property, the appraisal was updated to reflect a value of $12,000. Peterson's offer was $7,000.

During a council discussion Monday, it was noted the property has a cliff that leaves the lower portion very narrow. Required setbacks would make the location a challenge for a new business

Peterson has stated he would likely level the lower portion and use it for parking and storage of boats and vehicles, eventually putting a fence around it.

Norway City Manager Dan Stoltman recommended the city list the property for sale at the price of the appraised value for 30 days, with the stipulation that if a higher offer is received Peterson would be given the right of refusal to match any competing offer.

Mayor Candy Brew agreed that the property should be listed for sale.

"I like the idea that there will be a first chance, but if he doesn't want it, it is out there," Brew said. "I have seen that happen many times before, even before I got on this council, that people want a property, nobody else knew that it was for sale. That's not fair."

A motion was made and passed that the property be listed for sale for 30 days with a minimum bid of $12,000 and giving Peterson the right to match any offer. If no bids are received, Peterson's offer of $7,000 will be considered.

Also discussed was a proposal for concrete repairs to the Sturgeon Falls Dam gravity spillway and the Sturgeon Falls Dam Island stair repairs.

The city was quoted a price of $97,055 from Terrazzo Creations & Renewal of Iron Mountain. There is $100,000 in the budget for the work.

Department of Power & Light/Electric Department foreman Scott Hegy explained why the repairs needed. "So this is the gravity wall between the building and the island, as soon as you walk along directly under your feet the face (of the concrete) is popped off from the freeze-thaw cycles and the cold joints are starting to erode, so it is time to give that thing a little T.L.C.," he said.

"Along with that, the stairs on the island, there are two sets. The first set is going to be repaired, they are not beyond repair. Then there (are) six steps in the next flight, those are getting tore out. They are flooding, they are loose, they are a liability," Hegy said.

Brew was concerned with the timeline of the project, that it may interfere with fall leaf cleanup. Hegy said the work could commence in mid-August and, although it would be tight, it should be completed with sufficient time.

Terrazzo Creations & Renewal's price quote was approved with the stipulation they provide a more detailed explanation of the prices.