First city surplus properties up for bid

The city of Springfield has started taking sealed bids for the first of several pieces of city-owned properties.

The city initially listed 64 properties for sale, and 34 of those received interest, according to a news release. The first group of five was randomly selected from those 34 properties to establish and test the bidding process, with additional sites being posted every few weeks.

The five properties now up for bid:

• 917 N. Douglas Ave., which is zoned single-family residential;

• 935 N. Missouri Ave., also zoned single-family residential;

• 4126 W. Junction St., zoned for general manufacturing, though the city holds a warranty deed on the property, which could complicate development on that property;

• 821 N. Rogers Ave., zoned single-family residential; and

• 1221 S. Crutcher Ave., which also is zoned single-family residential but is not platted and has no clear title available.

Complete bid documents are available on the city's Web site, along with links to the interactive city map and other related materials. Bids, which also can be submitted by calling the city purchasing department, will be accepted until 3 p.m. on Nov. 5.

Net proceeds from the sales will be returned to the fund from which each property was purchased up to the original purchase price, with any additional proceeds going to the city's Police and Fire Pension Fund.