Harrison City Council Approves Sale of Lot After Weeks of Consideration

After weeks of debate over transparency, valuation and competing visions for a vacant city-owned lot, the Harrison City Council voted Thursday to sell a 0.1-acre parcel on Mural Drive to Rock Holdings LLC for $16,000 and directed city staff to develop a formal process for future surplus property sales.

The vote concluded a month-long discussion that transformed what was initially proposed as a $7,500 sale into a public debate over how the city disposes of property it no longer needs.

Mayor Jerry Jackson was absent from Thursday's meeting in Little Rock, with Councilman Wayne Cone conducting the meeting as mayor pro tem.

The property sits between land owned by Harness Roofing and a building recently purchased by Joshua Moore, owner of Moore's Barber Shop. According to city officials, Harness Roofing owner Justin Harness approached the city about purchasing the lot after learning it was city-owned and not being used.

A resolution authorizing the mayor to accept Harness' original $7,500 offer was first presented to the council July 23. The measure was delayed after Moore told council members he had been unaware the property was available and said losing access to the lot could negatively affect his business by limiting customer parking.

The issue resurfaced Aug. 13, when Jackson said Moore and Harness had "kind of worked something out" and recommended proceeding with the sale. Before a vote could occur, resident Curt Grisham questioned both the property's value and the process used to determine it. The council tabled the measure for a second time.

By the time the resolution came up again this past week, three bids for the property had been received. 

Grisham submitted a $15,000 offer Aug. 14 and later increased it to $21,000. Harness raised his bid to $16,000 on Aug. 19. Moore submitted a bid matching the original $7,500 offer on Aug. 25.

At Thursday's meeting, each bidder presented arguments for acquiring the property.

Grisham told council members he intends to create a bee-pollinator garden and memorial pocket park honoring his sister, Hallie Dee while Moore would like the property to expand parking to his recently purchased neighboring building. Representatives of Harness Roofing stated they hope to put a corporate office facility on the property. 

The discussion focused not only on this particular property but the city's overall like of a process this type of sale, as several speakers noted that the property had not been listed as surplus until the city had been approached about selling it. 

After much discussion, the resolution was approved accepting the Harness $16,000 bid on a 5-1 vote with Council Member Josh Earl being the lone no vote. 

The council later approved a separate resolution directing staff to develop a formal process for future surplus-property sales, an effort members hope will prevent similar disputes and provide greater transparency when city-owned land is offered for sale.

The video from Thursday's Council Meeting can be seen on the City of Harrison Facebook Page.