For Sale - Proposed Savannah Police Precinct - WSAV: News, Weather, and Sports for Savannah, GA

The city of Savannah is one step closer to getting rid of a property that was supposed to be their new police precinct, but is now just an expensive mistake.

It's a story News 3 has been following for you for almost 2 years.

City Council voted today for a "Request for Proposal" (RFP) to declare the building at the corner of Waters and 37th street "surplus".

What that means is they can start the process of selling the property.

The city paid almost $1.65 million for the spot, but found out it would be too expensive to renovate and create a new precinct.

Plans for alternate city uses have been hindered by lengthy outstanding tenant leases and reduced budgets. Savannah has continued to maintain the building for the two remaining tenants; four of the units are vacant.

Since then, Savannah has gotten several offers to buy the property.

Thursday's vote allows an outside agency to take bids for the city, and sell the building for at least the price Savannah paid, if not more.

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RFP Requirements

• A minimum bid of $1.638 million will be set so that the City can recoup
its initial purchase price for the property.
• The City will require approximately 2000 square feet of space for a
community room, to be built out at City's expense. This space will be
made available for use by community, neighborhood and/or area nonprofit's
as determined by the City. The successful purchaser will make
this space available as a long-term lease at or below the prevailing
market rate.
• As part of the Waters Avenue corridor revitalization plan, the City will
implement landscaping and surface improvements to the parking lot
and pursue the feasibility of incorporating a bus stop at the corner of
36th Street and Waters Avenue.
• Proposer will be responsible for leasing space to businesses desired
by the community. A commitment from potential tenants must be
obtained prior to closing on the sale of the property. The City retains
the right of veto of initial tenants. Proposers must show evidence that
they can maintain full capacity tenancy of the building.
• Proposer will be responsible for renovation of the building facade,
repair or replacement of the roof and repair of all systems. The
building must meet all code requirements before any new leases may
be accepted. Responsibility for build-out costs for the commercial
spaces, whether property owner or tenant, will be at the discretion of
the proposer. The existing tenant must be able to continue the
operation of their business while renovations are made.
• Successful proposals will present a rehabilitation plan which is
compatible with and supports the overall development plan of the
neighborhood and the Waters Avenue corridor revitalization plan.
Proposers shall also submit a timeline for renovation and leasing of the
property.
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• Proposer will be responsible for attending a community meeting to
present their plan and schedule for renovation prior to closing the sale.
Recommend approval of the request to declare surplus the property located
at 2005-2015 Waters Avenue and offer it for sale to the public via a Request
for Proposal with the stipulations noted above.