Douglas County Commissioners authorize Minden buy

Douglas County leaders have authorized buying part of a downtown Minden block for $457,000.

The county will acquire two empty buildings and a parking lot directly south of the Minden Inn. The buildings will probably be torn down to make room for more offices.

"This seems like it's such a logical acquisition," said County Commissioner Jacques Etchegoyhen.

"This allows us to do some expansion that we can't do," added Commissioner Bernie Curtis.

The county bought the three-story Minden Inn in 1998. The historic hotel, which had been remodeled for office space, houses the community development, East Fork Fire and Paramedic districts, county manager's and county clerk's offices.

One of the neighboring buildings housed a restaurant and the other a dry cleaning business. Both have been empty for a few years.

The properties appraised at $475,000, but the sale price includes an $18,000 deduction for remedial and cleanup work. The seller, Jane Winters, will also be responsible for future cleanup costs that are a result of previous uses.

The purchase will be funded with property tax money that has been set aside for capital improvements.

Holler said the buildings probably won't be altered until a long-term development plan for the property is done.

Minden officials have worked to revamp the historic downtown core, adding trees and customized sidewalks, and Holler said the county will try to complement those improvements.