Bessemer Downtown Development Authority eyes Sophie Street building

BESSEMER - The Bessemer Downtown Development Authority held a special meeting Thursday to discuss the possible purchase of the old Gambles store at 221 S. Sophie St.

The building houses Trout Lily Art & Design and is going up on auction for at least $8,700 in August, the amount owed in back taxes.

The DDA has the first right of purchase, which expires today.

City manager Charly Loper presented a letter from Donald Saari, building inspector.

Saari found the building to be structurally sound, but said it needs an enormous amount of work.

The DDA decided to forgo its first right to purchase and wait for the outcome of next month's auction.

If no one bids, there will be a second auction in the spring.

There is always the chance that someone will buy the building in August, but if not, the DDA will collect bid information over the winter to assess how much money will be required to fix the most pressing problems, such as the roof.

Further discussion was tabled until the next meeting.