County House Sale: Bidding Ends
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Updated: 10:55 PM Jul 17, 2008
County House Sale: Bidding Ends
Courthouse project leaders say only one person submitted a bid on one of the houses.
Posted: 10:46 PM Jul 17, 2008
Reporter: Meghan Kulig
Email Address: meghan.kulig@weau.com
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Earlier this week, we told you about Eau Claire County’s attempt to sell nine houses for as little as $1 each.

The sealed bids were due Thursday – but project leaders say only one person submitted a bid on one of the houses.

Everett Blakeley Jr. of Eau Claire bought the house at 747 2nd Avenue for $1,101. He says it’ll cost him between $20,000 and $25,000 to move it to a new lot on Bellinger Street.

"I've had a lot of people, several people that have actually done that and have told me I'm crazy,” he said. “But, we'll give it a try. See how it works out."

Blakeley’s new house sits on land that’ll be used for the new jail – which means he has to move it by the end of September.

Blakeley is in the rental business, but says he isn’t sure if he’ll rent the 4 bedroom house once it is moved.

Courthouse Project Manager, Frank Draxler, says the county will still try to find buyers for the other eight properties.

"If we are unsuccessful after that, we'll work with the demolition contractor and then that firm will work with others salvage anything out of those properties,” Draxler said.

Draxler says the county is keeping a list of people who are interested in things like fixtures and building supplies from the houses that end up getting torn down.