News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Byrdstown Aldermen approved a purchase for a five-and-a-half-acre piece of land located within the town Monday night.
Mayor Sam Gibson said the property contains the remains of a burned-down shirt factory, including a large concrete slab the town may be able to reuse. Gibson said the property has good potential to support industrial development within the city.
“We don’t have a place in the city that we can put a twenty thousand square foot building to get some people to come in,” Gibson said. “And I get, (Chamber of Commerce Director Bill Robbins) and I get, and (County Executive Stephen Bilbrey), we get emails two or three, four times a week. But the first thing they say, you know, ‘We need a building already in place.'”
Gibson said the property was appraised at over $75,000 but the owner will sell it to the town for $55,000. Gibson said the exact purpose of the property will be determined once the land is cleaned up. He said people have talked about everything from a park to a new business partner.
Gibson said they should be able to clean the property at little to no extra cost.
“There’s a lot of metal there,” Gibson said. “And I think I can work out a deal with somebody to take all that out and give us part of the money for it. Not just let them clean it up, not pay people, but let us get money back.”
Gibson said the property owner will provide a letter from an environmental agency confirming that the property is free from asbestos and other harmful substances.
“I think it’s a no-brainer,” Gibson said. “I don’t think there’s any way we can go wrong. I mean, you know, five and a half acres right here in the city limits.”
