February 9, 2025

GARNETT — Garnett city commissioners recently debated the best way to fill Garnett’s empty downtown buildings. The Anderson County Review reported that will be a question that they’ll discuss in the next few weeks. City Commissioner Preston Peine prompted the discussion after he relayed a complaint by a woman who wanted to rent a retail building downtown. He said the woman was frustrated by the number of buildings that were vacant and the number of owners who didn’t seem interested in renting or selling them.  She suggested imposing a small monthly fee on vacant buildings, he said.  “But I was adamantly opposed to it when we started the conversation but more she talked about it, the more I thought it was worth discussing,” Peine said.  “… According to her, this is something that’s being done in all kinds of cities large and small. I had never heard of that.”  Other commissioners said they’re interested in trying to help fill vacant buildings but showed little enthusiasm for Peine’s suggestion. Commissioner Dan Morgan said he’d rather find some form of incentives to encourage more rentals. The sharpest reaction came from city attorney Terry Solander, who owns a vacant downtown building.  “I see that as problematic,” he said. The city would be getting involved in a situation that’s more involved in market forces. “… I think you’re getting ready to open Pandora’s box.” The commissioners said before they do anything, they’d like city manager Joyce Martin to do a complete inventory of commercial buildings, the vacancy rate and prevailing rental, lease and sale rates.
Friday, Oct. 5, 1 p.m.

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