Last week Tuesday, the Pipestone County Board heard a presentation by Jeremy Whipple with the Pipestone Development Crop, asking them to consider selling the former Central School property. He has potential development projects that could be built on that land.

Whipple said that the PDC is interested in purchasing the north lot of former school property so that Jeff Hartquist can build a new 8,000 square funeral home there, along with large parking lot. “He is looking at investing $2 million in our community,” Whipple said.

However, it was noted that the property cannot be sold outright, but must be sold on bids, with the county setting a minimum bid amount. IT was also noted that the county could transfer the property to another taxing authority, such as the City of Pipestone, which could sell? Or give the land to the PDC.

The county has been debating about what to do with the property after spending about $800,000 to clear the property two years ago.

Commissioner Dan Wildermuth explained to Whipple and other members of the public who attended the meeting, that the county board had thought it prudent to look at the county’s long term needs before selling the property. Some of those needs could be more county office space and additional court space.

Also noted was the fact that the former Southwest Mental Health building is now no longer being leased and is not in as bad of shape as the county had previously thought. Wildermuth said that there is a plan taking shape to put the soil and water conservation and extension offices in that space.

“That plan is starting to gel up,” Wildermuth said. “So we maybe do not need all the Central School space. These are just my opinions at this point, not something the commissioners have decided as a whole”

Whipple, on the other hand, would like to see the county tear the SW Mental Health building down to make way for twin homes because he sees a housing shortage and a shortage of rental property within Pipestone.

According to state statute, the county needs to get 90 percent of the value of the property because it was a tax forfeiture. Up until last year, the land was valued at $106,100, but is now at $585,600.

“Lets stop and think about what is in the best interest of the people who pay the tax,” Whipple said. “Hopefully we can spur more development.”

While the discussion did heat up some, everyone came to the consensus that they do want growth and development, but the path forward was not clear.

“I am thrilled that we are having this discussion,” Wildermuth said. “That we have developers. That we’ve got land. Let’s move forward in an intelligent way.”