By: Diane Benjamin
Earlier this week I wrote about the property Normal is planning to purchase and trade with ISU. Reports show they plan to pay way over assessed value. http://blnnews.com/2015/07/21/normal-do-friends-of-government-prosper/ This isn’t the first time Normal has overpaid for properties.
Mayor Chris Koos was on WGLT talking about the purchase and trade so Normal can obtain property for a new fire station. In case you haven’t heard, Normal plans to relocate ALL 3 of their fire stations. Koos claimed during the interview that the properties were appraised: http://wglt.org/news/soundideas.php
I sent a Freedom of Information request to Normal for the property at 404 W Locust. Normal plans to pay $400,000+ more than the appraised value.
Here is their response: (Mad yet? Will local media report? )
NO appraisal for property?? If I would have done that I would have NEVER sold my property! Pick a number any number doesn’t sound like a sound investment idea does it?
Two birds with one stone: 1) reward the seller (2) Make the trade look fair
Are those 3 fire stations outdated and therefore have to be replaced/moved? Or is Koos setting up the Town of Normal for sustainable living where the fire stations will be within walking/biking distance of the future multi-use high-rises?
What bank loans money to the average citizen with no appraisal? Sign me up, lol.
Is Aaron Shock lending Koos the use of his shell company also? I wonder if we are going to start seeing Koos and Renner on Instagram partying at The Palms in Vegas in a room paid for by some donor? Either that or a sweet home will be bought by Koos’ with a heavily discounted loan.