$95,000 land near jail may cost less

By JAMES CLARK / Editor for the Southern Standard

BOBBY COX

It appears Warren County won’t have to pay $95,000 an acre for land located next to the current jail — or even close to that amount.

Based on a recent sale of 32 acres located directly across from land the county is seeking to purchase, the property value for that area is much less. Local realtor Tommy Foster handled the sale and he reports the 32 acres sold for $200,000, or $6,250 an acre.

“I think the land sale across the street will weigh heavy,” said County Executive Carol Hamblen. “It will be a big factor in us being able to settle early.”

The 32 acres is located on the other side of Sparta Street next to Wendy’s restaurant.

Since the county has been planning jail expansion, purchasing the heavily wooded land directly adjacent to the jail has been a sticky issue. The Smith family owns the land and county officials reported the family initially tossed out a figure of $95,000 an acre for the 19 acres.

During Monday night’s Jail Oversight Committee meeting, commissioners weighed their land options. Those options include foreclosing on the land and claiming ownership through the courts, but Jail Oversight Committee Chairman Bobby Cox said that wasn’t a favorable choice.

“We’ve talked about condemnation, but I’d like us to negotiate a fair price on all of it,” said Cox.

Commissioners decided to have all 19 acres surveyed. Immediate plans only call for using around five acres, but Commissioner Swanson Bennett said it might be cost effective to see about buying it all.

“It is conceivable all of it may cost us only slightly more than just five acres,” said Bennett.

Architect Jim Armstrong advised buying more than five acres might be the best decision.

“When stretching it out, five acres might not be as much as it seems,” said Armstrong.