Concordia City Commission Votes to Start Eminent Domain Process on Blighted Property

The Concordia City Commission took the first step in the process for Eminent Domain on a blighted property at 429 W. 8th Street during their regular meeting on Wednesday, September 6th.

The City of Concordia has invested a significant amount of resources to clean up the property.  Specifically, $4,853.44 has been spent for mowing/yard cleanup over multiple occasions since 2015.  An additional $8,843.79 was spent in 2022 to demolish the dilapidated house on the property following condemnation.

Property taxes totaling $3,203.43 plus penalties have not been paid on this property since 2015.  This property is slated for tax sale, however a date has not yet been set by the County Attorney's Office.

Per the Cloud County Appraiser's Office, the current value of the property is $3,580.

This property has been identified by the city as a prime property for infill development.

The commission voted Wednesday to pass a resolution outlining the reason for the need to use Eminent Domain, and also directing the city to obtain a survey of the property subject to the Eminent Domain process.

The commission also approved a resolution setting a public hearing date of October 18th for the condemnation of a residential single-family dwelling structure at 720 State Street.  The condemnation process allows the city to force action on a blighted and dilapidated building or property.

The commission previously adopted an ordinance for the condemnation of the property at their July 5th regular meeting.  Following that meeting, City Building Inspector Bruno Rehbein says he was contacted by the owner of the property, Patricia A. Robinson of Winston, Oregon, requesting further clarity on the issue.   At the owners request, Rehbein said the city is working with her directly and has agreed to start the process over.

Rehbein told the commission the structure at 720 State Street has become increasingly uninhabitable over the last few years and is in very poor condition and should not be inhabited at this time.  It has a tremendous blighting influence on the neighborhood, has a history of decline and minimal maintenance, if any, for the past few years..

During presentations, Kim Muff, Concordia Education Fund Director, discussed the Cloud County Kids Coalition.  Cloud County faces a growing shortage of childcare for ages birth through five, and this trend affects not only children, but also parents, families, and employers.  The Cloud County Kids Coalition is working to help the community recognize its early childcare needs and collectively build solutions to serve all families who live in Cloud County.

Muff said they are currently surveying Cloud County residents to learn more about child care needs in the county.  The survey, which will be open through September 30th, will help in the development of specific short- and long-term strategies to increase access to child care.  Click here to respond to the survey.

Before adjourning, the commission held two Executive Sessions for Acquisition of Real Estate with Concordia City Manager Amy Lange, Concordia City Attorney Justin Ferrell, CloudCorp Executive Director Nicole Reed and Mechelle Reynolds, totaling 30 minutes in length.  No action was taken at the end of the sessions.