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Old County Jail to be Sold at Public Auction

By Greg Bebermeyer

06/06/2016

former Brown Co jail

(KNZA)--The old Brown County Jail will be sold at a public auction.

The County Commission voted unanimously Monday put the building built in 1924 up for public auction. A date for the auction hasn't been set yet.

The Commission had been considering the possible demolition of the building, but agreed this was the best way to proceed.

County Attorney Kevin Hill told Commissioners that state statute requires that any county-owned building valued at $50,000 or more be sold at public auction to the highest and best bid. The building is valued at around $64,000.

Hill said the Commission has the right to reject any and all bids.

He said a notice of the public auction must be published for three weeks. Hill agreed to draft a publication notice for the Commission to look over next week.

Downtown Hiawatha business owner Nancy Parks Wright said Sheriff John Merchant took her on a tour of the old jail last week. She told the Commission she believes the building is in good condition and has possibilities if you can think outside the big box.

Brown County voters in November 2008 approved a one-half cent countywide retailers sales tax to fund the construction of a new 41-bed jail, which was completed in the fall of 2010.

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