Twelve lots are for sale in Gardiner’s Libby Hill Business Park, and city officials would like to see them sold.

On Wednesday, the City Council is expected to award a contract for Libby Hill real estate marketing and brokerage services following a request-for-proposal process that netted two proposals.

One proposal is from Coldwell Banker Plourde Real Estate, and the other is from Magnusson Balfour.

Gardiner is served by Coldwell Banker Plourde of Waterville and has worked with Nate Rudy, who has been Gardiner’s economic development director.

Under a restructuring of that job in about 2011, Rudy had become a real estate broker to work on selling the lots, and part of his pay was to come from that. He continued to work to sell lots after he left the city’s employ and with each successive brokerage he joined.

His agreement with the city is up this month. That, and interest expressed by Portland-based Magnusson Balfour in marketing and selling Libby Hill lots, prompted the request for proposals earlier this year.

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The city’s Economic Development Committee has reviewed proposals from both companies and is expected to recommend signing a one-year agreement with Magnusson Balfour and Dennis Wheelock, which could be renewed for up to two additional one-year terms by mutual consent.

In scoring the proposals, the committee noted that Coldwell was offering a 7 percent commission (the current commission is 8 percent) and Magnusson Balfour was offering a 10 percent commission. Despite the difference, the committee noted in its recommendation that Magnusson Balfour’s marketing efforts outweighed the additional cost.

“This is no reflection on the work that Nate Rudy has done for us,” said Patrick Wright, Gardiner’s economic development coordinator.

“It will be great to sell the lots,” Gardiner City Manager Scott Morelli said, adding that the goal is not to simply deliver the lots to someone else’s ownership. The payoff, he said, is getting a tax-paying business with employees and capital investments in the business park.

“We have been doing OK,” Morelli said, noting that the city has averaged selling a lot year since 2011 in a bad economy. Now that the economy is on an upswing, the expanded marketing services Balfour Magnusson offers would be a plus, if the contract is approved.

City councilors also will review budget requests from the city’s Public Works and Building and Grounds departments. The council will be able to ask questions during the presentation, and the public will have a chance to ask questions at its conclusion. No testimony will be taken and no debate is scheduled.

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Also on the agenda:

• The second reading of a proposal to authorize general obligation bonds for a sewer replacement project.

• The possible sale of 24 Summer St. for a senior housing project.

• A contract amendment with the police union.

• A request to extend a building deadline for Black Diamond.

• An agreement with Curt Lebel for assessor services.

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• Awarding of special event permits for the annual Memorial Day Parade and Service and the free Waterfront Concert Series.

• Authorization to pursue ConnectME money to help pay the expenses of identifying the city’s broadband Internet needs and identify the additional infrastructure needed.

Jessica Lowell — 621-5632

jlowell@centralmaine.com

Twitter: @JLowellKJ


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