The Carbon County Commission, convened as the Carbon County Community Development Agency, was on the verge of disposing of a surplus building when a previously unknown interest in the property came forward during the regular meeting of September 6.
The metal building at the Wildcat load-out just off Consumers Road was most recently owned by Amwest Exploration Company. It was abandoned and has been unused for the past eight years. Because of unpaid property taxes, the county put the building up for sale at the county tax sale, but no bids were received.
County Clerk/Auditor Seth Oveson recalled the tax sale item was advertised for more that a month in advance. He pointed out the building sits on BLM land and although several inquiries were received, when the interested parties learned they would be required to provide a reclamation bond, they declined to submit a bid. As a result it was stricken to the county, which is the current owner.
Deputy County Attorney Christian Bryner explained the commission has broad discretion to dispose of the building. He said the easiest route would be to convey it to the Carbon County Community Development Agency, which can dispose of it as an economic development incentive without an auction or pubic hearing.
Bryner said, “It’s been proposed that this building be given to a Matt Blaser who’s been doing some metal fabrication work here in the county. He’s ready to expand his business and this building would be a benefit to him.” Blaser is the President of Intermark Steel, and has plans to move the 80 ft. X 200 ft. building to a site in the Industrial Park south of Price.
Intermark Steel has been in business in Price for more than a year and has contracts for projects worth about $4.5 million. The company started operations in the former Pacific Central Steel building at 392 East 400 South, and began moving to a larger facility in the Industrial Park last June.
Blaser said they are still growing and still looking for fabricators in the shop, and will need field erectors in the near future. He said the Amazon Distribution Center project and Salt Lake Airport expansion project are well underway, and potential future contracts include projects at Arizona State’s Sun Devil Stadium and several LDS Temples.
Anthony Stoddard entered and identified himself as Operations Executive Officer for Wraith Transportation and LTL Logistics, and made the surprise announcement that his company has been working for several months with Amwest and Midstate to put a logistics company in the building at the present location. He told the commissioners the site would house 50 to 60 semi trucks and provide 40 to 50 jobs over the next three years. He conceded, “Somehow we missed the (tax) sale and we could have made things easier if we had just paid for it.”
Offers to pay bond, taxes
He said the company is willing to provide the BLM reclamation bond and has already contacted Rocky Mountain Power about restoring power to the building. He continued, “We are more than happy to pay the back taxes,” adding, “To give it to someone is admirable. I’m sure that individual would do back flips.”
Bryner responded, “I should point out that the plan was not to give it.” He said it was to be sold for a little over $18,000. That is the amount of back taxes owed to the county on the building.
Oveson estimated the building has a value of about $200,000. He suggested the county issue a request for proposals as the best way to proceed. The proposals should include information on the company and its principals, the purpose of the building, financial backing, economic impact on the community, and how the company plans to meet the reclamation obligation with the BLM.
The building was conveyed to the Carbon County Development Agency but no further action was taken.