Dr. John Hooker was the highest bidder with a $20,000 offer on a lot near the Tryon depot during a sealed bid opening last week.
Hooker bid $20,000 to win over Bill Crowell’s $19,100 bid. There were no other offers on the property.
Hooker approached the town last year with interest in constructing a new building for his dental office on the 0.47-acre lot. He originally made an $8,000 offer on the lot. The town announced the offer in November 2011 and subsequently received two upset bids. Council decided to reject all bids at that time and offer the property by sealed bids. The bids were opened during a special meeting Tuesday, Jan. 31.
Tryon Town Council decided to place conditions on the sale of the property, which include that within 120 days of the sale of the property the buyer must obtain zoning and building permits to construct a stick building with a minimum of 1,800 square feet and must obtain a certificate of occupancy within two years.
Hooker indicated to town officials last year that he is ready to proceed with construction and has already submitted plans for the building informally to the town.
The sealed bid process came after Crowell told town council he placed an upset bid because he felt with the location the land was being given for free at $8,000. The lot was appraised at $17,000.
The property is approximately 0.47 acres and lies off the depot parking lot. The property is bordered on the north by the railroad track and is 225 feet long and just under 100 feet wide.
The sealed bid process is final, with no other opportunities to place upset bids.