The problem is that the city can't afford to purchase the properties. This fall, voters will decide whether they're willing to pitch in to pay for the seven parcels, which have different owners.
"They agreed to sell in concept, there were no prices agreed upon or conditions of the sale, but we feel confident that the property is for sale at a fair market value," said Allen.
City Council member Richard Best said letting voters decide on the property purchases is the right thing to do.
"When you're looking at putting this kind of a strain on a small town like Palmer for that large amount, it's imperative for us to get a true temperature of the citizens," said Best.
Best is more concerned with what the city's plans are for the property.
In mid-January, Allen went before the Mat-Su Borough Assembly, informing the Assembly of the city's plans to use the Matanuska Maid property to construct a community and conference center.
"I'm not for us purchasing the property to build a convention center. If we're going to purchase the property and we're going to determine later on what we're going to do with it, I'm okay with that," said Best.
Allen says the future of the property has not been decided.
"No, the city does not have immediate plans for it. The purpose of this bond issue is to buy the property and get control of the site," said Allen.
According to Allen, the first thing the city would do if the bond is approved would be cleaning up the properties and work on beautifying that part of downtown.
"We would like to spruce it up, clean it up, and put it in to production in terms of making it available to citizens of Palmer," said Allen.
The city says it would only purchase the seven parcels if the owners agree to fair market value.
According to city officials, the state initially wanted $1.3 million for the Matanuska Maid property alone, but after the city insisted on a new appraisal, the price dropped to about $1.1 million.
Contact Lori Tipton at ltipton@ktuu.com.
