SPRINGFIELD — The city is once again seeking to sell a deteriorated, tax-foreclosed house on Irvington Street in Forest Park, hoping to improve its chances by offering a larger incentive to bidders.
The city, which was unable to find a suitable buyer for the house at 74 Irvington St. in February when it offered a $40,000 incentive grant, has now increased that offer to $75,000, said Tina Quagliato-Sullivan of the city’s housing office.
Those who wish to purchase and redevelop the long-vacant house have until Aug. 28 at 2 p.m. to submit proposals. The proposals will be opened at the Office of Procurement at City Hall.
"We hope the increased financial incentive will draw a responsible buyer who can go forward with the project," Quagliato-Sullivan said.
The incentive funds are from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant program.
There had been one proposal received for the property in February. It was not accepted after the bidder was deemed “non-responsive,” Quagliato-Sullivan said. The bid for the property was $1,000.
After that effort, the city had an independent assessment completed, which deemed that the cost of needed repairs would be higher than first thought, Quagliato-Sullivan said.