Powermatic building up for auction
|
“They’re not having any progress in moving it,” Rigsby said. “So the owners have decided they’re just going to put it up for auction. They’ve contracted with an auction agency that does those type of buildings out of Knoxville.”
Furrow Auction Company will be handling the auction, according to Rigsby, who was contacted by Chuck Fisher, one of the company’s representatives.
“A lot of times investors buy these buildings,” Rigsby said, but noted there still might be a company out there, perhaps even locally, that would be interested in buying the facility at the right price. The auction company will be providing local officials with flyers and particulars on the auction as plans are finalized.
The age of the building, as well as some perceived disadvantages, have made it somewhat of a hard sell. Rigsby feels what may have been considered a disadvantage for some prospective purchasers would have no effect on others.
“That building was built in 1953. It’s a building that was good for the time, and it’s still a sturdy, well-built building,” he said. “But it’s not a modern building. The ceilings are only 14 feet high, which nowadays, the newer industries have to have something like a minimum of 20 feet or above in ceiling height. But still, there may be a particular industry that doesn’t need that. It’s got 209,000 square feet and 15 acres.”
Industrial Development Board member Mark Brown also felt the auction could have beneficial effects locally.
“We have an industrial facility there with no jobs in it,” Brown said. “Any activity at that site would create jobs and be good for the economy. The industrial board is always looking for contact with any prospective employer and anything that generates interest in Warren County with prospective employers is a positive for our community.”