Update 10/13/16 – The Le Center City Council followed the EDA’s recommendation and accepted the Miller Homes offer to purchase city-owned land. Moran noted the sale benefits the city as well. “This relieves us of any legal liability on the property, and I don’t have to mention that [the offer] is a decent price,” he said.

Miller plans to meet with the planning and zoning to discuss the facility’s design and city ordinances to ensure there aren’t any conflicts, the source reported. One item for discussion is whether Miller Homes will be required to blacktop the entire property or just to the unit doors.

10/11/16 – Officials in Le Center, Minn., have agreed to sell the city’s last owned parcel to a self-storage developer. Representatives from Miller Homes LLC met with officials from the Le Center Economic Development Authority (EDA) last week to offer $20,000 for a 1.53-acre plot the city has owned for 15 years. The three EDA members present at the meeting unanimously voted to accept.

The estimated market value of the site is $29,000, according to the source. However, Peter Miller, representing Miller Homes, noted the city sold a similar-sized plot of land in the same park a year ago for $16,000. “We reduced that price as an incentive because of job development,” said Mayor Josh Fredrickson. “Mini-storage, while needed, won’t produce many full-time jobs.”

The city has also added industrial-quality sewer and water access to the area, according to EDA member Kevin Engel, who noted the $20,000 offering wouldn’t cover those costs. “It seems a shame to have industrial-quality sewer and water and not have them utilized,” he said.

Prior to the vote, EDA member Gary Factor said it was unlikely Miller Homes would offer $30,000 for the site. However, Factor agreed with Miller’s assessment that the town is need in storage, with most of the area’s 70 units already occupied.

Miller Homes plans to build an initial 10 to 30 units, then more as they lease up, the source reported.

The deal will be presented to the city council tonight for a vote. Miller planned to send a purchase agreement to city attorney Jason Moran last week.

If the purchase is approved, construction could begin before the end of the year, Miller said. Additional details about the project would still need to be worked out, including the facility’s design. The city planning and zoning commission would also need to review the final plans before construction begins.

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