Former P.O. donated to Hillsboro

By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

The former Hillsboro Post Office will be offered for sale by the Hillsboro land bank.

The owner of the former Hillsboro Post Office building at 1st and Washington Sts. has moved his business to Pratt and offered to donate the building to the land bank, city administrator Matt Skiles told city council members Tuesday.

Skiles and economic development director Anthony Roy inspected the building and considered it a good opportunity.

“It needs a little work, but not much,” Skiles said.

The land bank accepted 45 other properties deeded over by the city. Those are mostly empty lots, Skiles said.

The city began its land bank to accept abandoned, foreclosed, or distressed properties.

Its purpose is to eliminate blight, enhance neighborhood stability, create opportunity for affordable home ownership and rentals, and maintain property values.

Property owned by the land bank is not subject to taxes and can be sold without competitive bidding. Property does not have to be sold as a single transaction, but can be divided or consolidated.