3 hours Ago
Just as it looks to complete the sale of one property, Aiken City Council could purchase another. On the agenda for the 7 p.m.
Nov. 25 Aiken City Council meeting is the second and final reading of an ordinance authorizing the sale of the Jackson Petroleum property to MarketSide Villages LLC for $315,000. Also on the agenda is a resolution authorizing the purchase of a 6.
5-acre property near the city-owned Aiken Regional Airport for $328,075. The Aiken Concert Band has provided six decades of music for the community The council is also expected to consider the first reading of an ordinance adding both property transfers to the city budget. Because of the structure of the city council agenda, the council will consider the budget ordinance prior to the property purchase.
The Jackson Petroleum property is southeast of the Richland Avenue-Williamsburg Street intersection, immediately east of the city-owned Aiken County Farmers Market. The addresses are 102, 114 and 118 Williamsburg St. SE .
The owners of MarketSide Villages LLC are Christian Hersacher and Hillary Head. They said they were introduced by Aiken Mayor Teddy Milner and found they had similar interests and desires for the property. Both said they loved Aiken and wanted to create something that would fit the city.
Edgefield students honored during Touchdown Club banquet MarketSide wants to "transform the site into a vibrant, community-centric village-like setting that seamlessly integrates with the existing farmers market," according to documents provided to the council ahead of the meeting. The development would cost around $11 million, Hersacher and Head said during a Nov. 12 worksession.
The city council voted to approve first reading of the ordinance Nov. 12. MarketSide was the only group to respond to a request for proposals seeking developers for the property.
Aiken-area teens face annual challenge from Marines The Aiken City Council voted Aug. 14 to approve the request for proposals seeking developers for the site . The Aiken Municipal Development Commission purchased the property March 19, 2021, for $175,000, according to Aiken County tax records .
The commission's purchase was funded using Community Development Block Grant fund. The Aiken City Council voted to dissolve the AMDC in 2023 and took ownership of the property . If the budget adjustment is approved by the council, the sale proceeds would be returned to the Community Development Block Grant fund.
Security Federal Bank owns the property near the Aiken Regional Airport. The bank purchased the property from the city in November 2004, City Manager Stuart Bedenbaugh said in a memorandum provided to the council ahead of the meeting. The bank intended to construct a branch on the site — it's near Interstate 20's Exit 22 — but never did.
As such, the bank recently placed the property on the market. The original sale agreement contained a right of first refusal, giving the city the option to purchase the property back should the bank decide to sell it, Bedenbaugh continued. The agreement contained a provision requiring the city to pay over $500,000 to repurchase the property, Bedenbaugh said.
Specifically, the city is to pay the bank back for its purchase, plus attorney's fees and maintenance and a 5% per year premium, he added. Two appraisals placed the value of the property around $300,000. And the bank agreed to pay an average of the two appraisals ($320,000 and $276,500) which comes out to s $298,250, Bedenbaugh said.
The bank requested a 10% commission for its Realtor be added to the sales price, making the final price $328,075. The information provided to the council does not specify plans for the property. The city would fund the purchase using a fund balance in the franchise fee fund.
The council is also expected to consider the first reading of ordinances annexing and zoning property at 111 Jefferson Davis Highway (the developer wants to build a Take 5 oil change store there) and annexing and zoning a single-family home at 2122 Pine Log Road. The council will consider a resolution approving a memorandum of understanding with the Aiken Performing Arts Group, deeds of dedication for water and sewer lines in Colleton Park Phase III and resolutions approving the contractor and construction manager for the construction of the new water treatment plant. The council is also scheduled to receive an update from the Aiken Performing Arts Group and Tropical Storm Helene recovery from Bedenbaugh.
The council meeting will take place in Room 309 of the Municipal Building at 111 Chesterfield St. S.W.
The council will meet in a 5 p.m. worksession in Room 315 to continue its discussions of the old playhouse at Virginia Acres Park and an ordinance permitting tiny homes within the city.
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