The Macon County Commissioners rejected two new bids for the recently in-demand Gulf station property and pondered using the building to house government offices.
The 0.37-acre tract of land at 651 E. Main Street, just across the Little Tennessee River bridge from downtown Franklin, has a 1,450-square-foot building. Macon County has owned the land since July 2022, when it was part of a swap deal with the N.C. Department of Transportation.
On Feb. 11, County Attorney Eric Ridenour presented the new bids, the higher of the two at $150,000. The assessed value of the property is $241,260.
Commissioner Barry Breeden said it’s premature to sell the land as government departments are looking for homes, suggesting Veterans Services or the Board of Elections.
Commissioner John Shearl noted the highest of the two bids was $90,000 under the tax value of the land and agreed with Breeden on potentially using the building.
The board officially took no action on the two bids, letting them die.
The Gulf station property has been the subject of multiple bids in recent months. In January, the commissioners didn’t vote on a $50,000 bid. In September 2024, the county accepted a $195,000 bid for the property, but the buyer did not submit a 5% deposit to start the mandatory upset bid period.