Charles City seeks bids for 311 4th Avenue property

The City of Charles City is accepting sealed bids for the purchase of Lot Eleven (11), Block Seven (7), Second Hart-Parr Addition to Charles City, Iowa, locally known as 311 4th Avenue, according to a Notice of Request for Bids.

The minimum bid for the real estate is $10,000. Sealed bidding is scheduled to conclude at 3:00 p.m. on October 12, 2026. Bids must be submitted on the Bid Form and Required Bid Information attached as Exhibit 1 to the notice, completed in full, signed, sealed, and delivered to Charles City City Hall, 900 Clark Street, Attn: Chris Miller, on or before the deadline. Proposals received after the deadline or containing reservations or conditions not provided for in the notice will not be opened or considered.

The notice states that the City reserves the right, in its sole and absolute discretion, to accept or reject any bid, whether or not it is the highest bid, and may waive minor informalities or irregularities. No bids are to be subject to financing. After the deadline, and upon acceptance of a bid by the Charles City City Council following required notice and hearing, the selected buyer will be required to execute a written purchase agreement in a form provided by the City containing the terms and conditions set forth in the notice.

According to the conditions of sale, the buyer will be responsible for all real estate taxes for the current fiscal year and thereafter, payable September 1, 2027, and March 1, 2028, with no proration of current-year taxes. Closing is to occur on or before November 20, 2026, unless otherwise mutually agreed. The property is being sold in its "AS IS" condition, with the buyer responsible for disposal of any junk, garbage, or personal property on site and for abating any existing nuisance conditions.

The buyer must agree to commence substantial reconstruction, rehabilitation, and redevelopment of the real estate within 180 days following closing and substantially complete the proposed development within one year of closing, subject to reasonable extensions approved by the City for circumstances beyond the buyer’s control. The notice defines "commence reconstruction" to include completion of preconstruction engineering and design if applicable, receipt of necessary licenses and permits, engagement of contractors, ordering of essential equipment and supplies, and beginning physical construction at the property.

The buyer will be required to obtain all zoning approvals, building permits, and other necessary approvals for redevelopment and may not sell or transfer the property before a certificate of occupancy is issued without the City’s prior written consent. In reviewing bids, the City may consider the feasibility and quality of the proposed development, the proposed development schedule, the bidder’s experience and qualifications, demonstrated capacity to complete improvements, the bid amount, and other factors the City deems relevant to successful redevelopment. The City may decline to proceed with a sale if it cannot reach agreement on a purchase contract with the selected bidder.

The Bid Form requires bidders to provide proposed development details, a development schedule, information on capacity to complete the project, relevant developer experience, and any additional information relevant to the City’s consideration. All bid documents and information provided to the City are public records and may be reviewed and discussed in open meetings. Questions or property viewings are directed to Chris Miller, Development Director, 900 Clark Street, Charles City, Iowa 50616, telephone (641) 257-6300.

This brief was generated from a public document. Source: https://www.cityofcharlescity.org/DocumentCenter/View/7622