A massive property on the city's waterfront, formerly owned by the Buchanan Group, is a hub of activity for the first time in years.
The assets of Northern Sawmill were liquidated at the end of September. Cleanup of the site is now underway following a fire sale of the assets a little more than a month ago.
Numerous contractors are on the waterfront property, cutting up scrap for salvage and picking up items purchased in the auction.
Bidders from around the globe grabbed up pieces of the old sawmill site at blowout prices. The two-day auction was said to have brought in less than $5 million. But that figure has now been revised to a little over $2 million.
More than 24 workers and Habitat for Humanity will be on site salvaging what they can into the new year.
The entire cleanup of all of the buildings is now expected to wrap up in early February. But the dismantling has had some issues.
A fire over the weekend kept fire crews busy for most of the day. Fire officials said the fire is still under investigation.
A potential purchaser of the land has now stepped forward and a deal could be finalized in the next few weeks.
City council was aware of the availability of the land but also the environmental liabilities.
Sources say the city looked at the property and decided to take a pass.
However, city manager Tim Commisso said the city is keeping a close eye on what's happening with the property.
"Ideally we would like to see it changeover to another industrial use that contributes to the cty tax base," he said in a statement received by tbnewswatch. "While it may be the view of some people that the city should acquire the property, there needs to be a business case to justify spending taxpayer dollars to acquire a very large track of vacant industrial property."
