The City of Billings owns fourteen (14) lots located between 10th and 11th Avenue South and between S. 27th and 28th.  Twelve of the lots have S. 27th Street frontage and the other two face S. 28th.    On June 25, the City Council adopted a resolution of intent to sell the property.  Staff requested sealed bids, notified surrounding property owners about the potential sale and published a notice of public hearing as required by Billings City Code Section 22-902.  The Roman Catholic Diocese of Great Falls, MT submitted the only bid.  The Diocese plans to consolidate three Catholic churches into a new parish and to build a new church on this property.  Selling the present church properties and constructing the new church is expected to take 5-10 years.  The Diocese submitted a bid of $257,250, or $5.25/sq. ft.  The land was donated to the City, so the sale proceeds can be deposited in any City fund. 

The City Council may sell the property to the only bidder, reject the bid or provide other guidance to staff.

Three community members donated the property to the City in 1996.  Tax Increment or CDBG funds are usually used to purchase downtown and south side property, so sale proceeds are usually deposited in those funds.  Staff recommends that the $257,250 payment be deposited in the General Fund, less any sale costs, and designated for programs or facilities at a later time.

Staff recommends that the City Council conduct a public hearing and accept the bid of $257,250 from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Great Falls, Montana for lots 1-12, 20 and 21, block 245