The City of Jefferson continues to turn over empty and vacant lots for housing development.

Jefferson Building Official Chad Stevens tells Raccoon Valley Radio one of his priorities when he became the building official over two years ago was to move city-owned properties for developers or neighbors to get them back on the tax rolls and reduce the city’s liability for those properties. He says about 18 lots have been sold, with most ranging from $250 to $2,500, for a total of $34,000. 

Stevens notes that while some lots were not buildable, those were sold to adjacent neighbors, who then combined their part of the lot to their own lot. As for the buildable lots, Stevens points out those have a requirement that new housing construction must take place. Some of the examples Stevens gave included a new home on West Lincoln Way with Ken and Sue Base, as well as a duplex on South Olive Street and a three-bedroom single family home on South Locust Street, both lots owned by Andy Rowland of Rowland Construction.

Stevens talks about the number of lots he’s been able to offload from the city during his tenure.

“Yeah I really am kind of surprised. We offered them at a discounted price (for the lots) and that obviously helped move them quickly, but at that discounted price, it kind of helped to fill that gap to make them to where they are affordable to build a home on and to be able to sell it.”     

Stevens says the City Council also purchased two lots at 205 and 207 East Perry Street and 307 North Wilson Avenue, which he believes the East Perry Street property isn’t buildable but he’s hoping a developer will purchase the other property, once the home is fully demolished.