The city of Merrill Redevelopment Authority is offering the former vocational school building at the corner of W. Main and S. Genesee streets for $1. Prospective bidders, however, would need to provide feasible plans for removal of the building and redevelopment of the site.
The Redevelopment Authority will hold a public bearing on Sept. 10 to receive comments regarding designating the property and an adjacent vacant lot (the former site of a bar that burned down in 2005) as blighted. The hearing will start at 6 p.m. at City Hall.
The city is currently seeking proposals for demolition and redevelopment of the site. A request for proposal package is available on the city’s website at www.ci.merrill.wi.us, or copies can be obtained from the clerk-treasurer’s office at City Hall. Proposals are due by Sept. 3.
The .242 acre site includes 419 & 413 W. Main St. The city anticipates acquiring these properties by the end of September from the current owner, whom is under property code enforcement orders.
The city’s goal is to see the property redeveloped for commercial or retail use.