The Wayland City Council will accept bids to purchase the foreclosed house and property at 430 W. Superior St. until 5 p.m. Tuesday, July 28.

The dilapidated house and ill-groomed property, located just east of Vine Street and the Free Methodist Church, was purchased by the city from Allegan County in May for $7,500 with casino revenue sharing funds. It was foreclosed on after having been vacant for at least three years.

City officials have said they hope the building will be razed and something else can be established at the site.

“Just getting rid of the house could be considered a benefit to the community,” said City Manager Mike Selden in May. “But it will take tax dollars off the books.

“If we demolish the house and then try to flip the property, we probably wouldn’t get what we put into it.”

But Councilwoman Lisa Banas said, “If someone was to buy it, maybe they could put something better into that site.”

But she added she didn’t want to have someone purchase and then continue making it a rental property with no improvements. She said she’d like some guarantee the purchaser would be make it a primary residence.

“I just don’t want somebody to put $5,000 into it and then rent it out and let it continue to be an eyesore,” Banas said.

If the building and property are sold for more than the minimum bid of $7,500, the added amount will go to the county.

Selden noted the city retains the right to refuse any offer it regards as unsuitable.

PHOTO: This house and property at 430 W. Superior St. will be up for sale this month, with a minimum bid of $7,500.