The City of Timmins says the site of a deserted gas station isn't available for tender until 'sometime in September'.
A failed tax sale for 263 Wilson Avenue forced the city to write off $25,141.60 worth of uncollectible taxes. A press release came from city hall on Friday after some local media outlets seemingly implied that the property was now for sale at a minimum price of $1,000.
The city also said it has never been in ownership of the property. Under the Municipal Act, the city is allowed to sell properties through the Tax Arrears Sale Process, prior to taking ownership.
The property was discussed at the most recent council meeting on Aug. 8. All six councillors who were present approved the write-off.
"By writing off these taxes, we can take this uncollectible amount off our books, and re-advertise at a lower minimum bid of $1,000 since we are not interested in vesting the property," read a report from the city's Director of Finance Jim Howie.
Councillor Pat Bamford wanted to make it clear that the city wasn't 'cavalierly walking away' from a $25,000 tax bill.
"This property is a former service station area, and is environmentally challenged. So anyone who purchases this land will have a large cost. So a thousand dollars might move the property, or it might not, but there will be an additional huge cost for someone taking over this property, hopefully somebody does, because its a corner lot," he said.
Situated at the southeast corner of Wilson Avenue and Cameron Street South, it is a highly visible property in a busy neighbourhood. The city is desperately hoping someone can clean up and re-develop the property, although Bamford isn't holding his breath.
"This will be hard to sell, it would be hard to give away, I think," he said on Aug. 8.
Of note, the northwest corner of Wilson and Cameron is the site of an ongoing remediation effort hoping to turn another former service station back into useable land.
