Fate of American Legion building is still being awaited

Is it better to go for rented properties or for owned ones? This happened to be the bone of contention in the Benton County Long Range Planning Committee for Real Estate. However, it seemed that the committee was desirous to get to the bottom of this dilemma and for that reason it went through an in-depth or exhaustive analysis of properties owned by the county and future projects that should be made precedence.

It has been learnt that the esteemed members of the committee came to the conclusion after much deliberations that it would be better to decide on owning the buildings it uses in preference to renting. It is better to note, at this juncture, that an amount of $308,303.88 is being paid out each year on rental properties. Which are these buildings therefore? Well, there are many and one of the most prominent buildings that is under the ownership of the county is the American Legion building off the Bentonville Square. But there is a problem with this building along with contiguous properties. The county traded in the 1960s with the American Legion for the property where the Benton County Administration Building now exists.

However, in place of trading for the land, there was the contract of an 85-year lease for the property between the Legion and the county. For this simple reason the county is the ownership of the building up to the present time and pays taxes and insurance on the buildings on a regular basis. How can this problem be solved? Well, the Benton County Judge Dave Bisbee has an idea and wants to declare the property as “excess” and sell it at auction. Well, he has already made a proposal. As indicated by him, this is the best possible way to bypass the predicament. The sale of the property at auction would keep the lease on the property integral for the remaining term of 44 years and would also make the Legion the most expected buyer for the property.

The members are confident of the decision in favor of declaring the property as excess and sell it at auction but it is being awaited still.