WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Three Rivers municipal officials last week approved the sale of the old Three Rivers Public Library to St. Joseph County.
As a result, the county plans to relocate family court and probate court to the West Michigan Avenue property.
County officials submitted a bid of $175,000.
City manager Joe Bippus said three bids for the building were considered: $125,000 from Doug’s Barber Shop owner Carrie McBride and a $125,000 bid from Second Wind Furniture owner Tonya Morgan.
The building is poised to house the county’s Juvenile Division of Family Court, as well as Probate Court, Friend of the Court and each court’s related services. The county is expected to spend more than $4 million to renovate the building.
Work is slated to begin in September.
In a city with one of the highest millage rates in the area selling this property to another tax exempt buyer does nothing to help the residents of Three Rivers. One more example of the mayor and city commission making bad decisions to prop up the downtown by moving the library to a horrible spot. The city already has too many tax abatements (which from past experience leads to no tax money and the employer not living up to the agreement). I keep waiting for someone to step up and bring new blood to city government but it appears Tom and Joe have a stranglehold on it. Pity the poor taxpayer. Where’s Larry Nichols when you need him.