FARMINGTON — The Board of Selectmen recently voted to move on purchasing a downtown apartment building, demolishing it and constructing a parking lot.
The purchase of 112 Church St. at the corner of Cony Street will require approval by voters at a special town meeting, Town Manager Richard Davis said.
The Tax Increment Financing Committee discussed the project and presented it to selectmen, he said.
The property is listed with Harris Realty for $79,000. The funds will be taken from the Downtown TIF Reserve Account, he said.
A preliminary estimate for demolition and disposal is around $50,000. The work would probably go out to bid, he said.
There is enough funding in the TIF account for the purchase, and more is expected by fall for razing the building, Davis said.
The site, which is behind the Franklin County Courthouse and across from Franklin County Children’s Task Force, would provide enough space for 24 to 28 parking spaces.
An alley next to Reny’s would provide a short walk to Broadway from the proposed parking lot.
Town attorney Frank Underkuffler drafted an option and presented it to the owner’s attorney. If the terms are agreeable, Davis intends to ask selectmen to hold a public hearing June 9 and consider June 23 for a special town meeting.
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