Tax-forfeited properties bring along more questions

The city of Albert Lea’s decision to purchase buildings to create tax base, more housing options and potentially new jobs has drawn significant discussion.

The council voted Monday to look at acquiring tax-forfeited properties held by the state of Minnesota for non-payment of property taxes at 332 S. Broadway Ave., 717 Madison Ave. and 815 Madison Ave.

Albert Lea Mayor Vern Rasmussen Jr. said the city’s plan is important for the future health of Albert Lea.

“It’s all contained within our comprehensive plan made before we took office,” Rasmussen said. “We have to make sure we have to move forward in a positive way with these opportunities. It’s never easy to spend money with no immediate return, but the future demands that we capitalize on our opportunity.”

The city approved purchasing a building at 314 S. Broadway for $130,000 last month.

The vote drew the ire of councilman George Marin.

“Historically, the city of Albert Lea hasn’t done well when it has ventured into real estate,” Marin said last month.

He suggested letting the business community take care of the building.

“The purchase of the building would be a foolish decision,” he said. “There are other pressing needs in this community. There are people here who are struggling with flooding and other things. It’s difficult for me to reconcile bricks and mortar over other, more pressing matters.”

The city’s policy is based on the economic vitality of Albert Lea, said Albert Lea City Manager Chad Adams.

“Creating housing options that meet the needs of our entire workforce is an important component to economic development, to attract qualified workforce to meet our existing job openings in the community and to attract new businesses,” Adams said earlier this week.

A member of the public wasn’t as impressed.

“It’s a dumb idea,” said Art Wipplinger, an Albert Lea resident. “This is another waste of money. It’s not going to amount to anything.”

He said the city government has consistently made bad decisions.