Mayor Mentions Mystery Buyer in Quest for Appraisals

An unidentified buyer wants to purchase city-owned land along the lake.

The catch? He needs to know how much it's worth, New Baltimore Mayor Larry Smith said Monday.

"We have someone who's interested in purchasing the property," Smith told city council Monday regarding waterfront lots in the historic downtown.

He declined to say who the mystery buyer is during his request to seek commercial appraisals for the parcels. The mayor said he was following the city charter in seeking permission from council for the appraisals, estimated to cost about $3,600 a piece, for the former police station and adjacent lot. Council members said they were also interested in having the defunct funeral home building on Main and Maria appraised. The city also owns that property.

Council decided to table the request following discussions about charter protocol, costs and timing for best market values.

Smith said didn't say what the potential buyer would do with the land, but added "I think he has the funding to buy it out right."

The mayor has spoken before about his hopes to bring waterfront business that would help attract visitors to the downtown.