In a matter of four months, the City of Jefferson purchased its second commercial building.

City Administrator Mike Palmer says the Council approved a purchase agreement for the former Linda’s Fashion building at 111 East Lincoln Way.  According to the Greene County Assessor’s real estate records, the building owner, Diversified Holdings and Services LLC, made an agreement that the City would pay $50, along with legal fees and back property taxes for an additional $2,000 to own the building.

The 22-foot by 132-foot building has a major hole in the roof, which is causing significant damage.  Palmer says they plan to patch the roof immediately and by next spring, replace it.  He points out that the City wants to move quickly on this endeavor because they are one of only four cities in the state with an completely intact, four-sided downtown square.

“(It) becomes even more apparent not to lose a key building on the downtown square.  Because frankly, if the City hadn’t stepped up to acquire this property, in just a matter of a few years, it probably would need to be torn down.”

Once the repairs are made, Palmer notes that the City wants to put the property back on the market.