Albany County: The Auction

• 
• 

Category:

Published on Saturday, October 23 2010, 2:17 PM

Written by Albany Citizen One

Hits: 651

Twice annually, I attend the County Auction...exceptin' for the times the City and County are feudin' enough to cancel the event. Today, was the day. There were 106 parcels were on the block and, by the time we got started there were about 130 folks in the room with about 70 "bidders."

Of the 106 parcels there were a lot of vacant lots (63), some one (16) and two family "homes," (15) one apartment building, a few commercial lots, one or two mixed use and one church (listed as a vacant lot so I'll have to check into that one). Four parcels had been removed with no explanation prior to auction time, and one, 67 Third Street was converted from a home to a vacant residential lot. Here's the fun part...of the 106, 52 didn't even get one bid! Over and over we heard..."no bid." I was glad to hear it but sad at the same time. Seems one parcel over on Elk had a water bill (the city wouldn't extinguish) of about $20,000 and no one had been in it for quite some time. (Now, you know my feelings on this right? Why are they being charged for something they, obviously, are not getting? Just let it go water board.)

Seventeen of the total (63) vacant lots were won at $100 each with all but two being in the City of Albany. Of the 106, 34 were vacant buildings and only 20 of those were sold...I have my eye on the 14 of those properties in Albany. Get this...someone bought that monster at 3 McPherson Terrace...I can't wait to see that developed!

The top bid was $47,000 for a two family home over on 6th Street in Watervliet and the bidding was heavy with it as it was with the other top properties, none of which were in the City of Albany. The top bid in the City of Albany was $10,000 for a one family house on Maple Avenue. (Worth it just for that "Leave it to Beaver" address.)

(Aside: I can't believe I'm listening to The Beastie Boys)

The most interesting of the parcels, for me anyway, is that of the Church on Trinity Place. Ya see, that was sold to a bidder last May who is a regular in Codes Court over at the City. Mr. Chandradat claimed not to own any other properties in Albany and bought the house under an LLC...an LLC that was "owned" by the NY Tax Department. So, it was interesting that, after my blog post about this negligent property owner and liar, that the property went back on the auction block. As we got to the last parcel a quiet lady over on the far side of the room was the only bidder on the property...and she got that historical church for $500. Now, my eyes aren't so good but I swear, sitting beside her was, Codes Enemy #1, Mr. Chandradat. I'll be watching this transaction and rehab VERY closely.

In total, the County sold 49 of the 106 properties for a grand total (if the top bid holds up to scrutiny and if the County Ledge approves the bid) of $233,300.