Wayland City Councilwoman Tracy Bivins earned a great deal of praise from her colleagues Monday night for her role in finally closing the deal on the sale of a foreclosed house at 430 West Superior St.

It was Bivens who tracked down the heirs of the property to have them sign a quit claim deed so the city can complete the $9,344.28 purchase (plus closing costs) of the foreclosed house and property to Robin Mitchell of Byron Center.

The sale price was $7,500, but added on were the city’s costs for having inspections conducted on the house and property and legal fees. The city bought the house and property from Allegan County, which foreclosed on it.

The Mitchells have told the city they plan to fix it up and make it attractive and livable again. They have been the only bidders, so it was possible the city would have had to have the house brought down to create an open lot.

The terms of the sale were agreed to last year, but it’s taken this long to make it final.

“Who knows how long this would have taken without your help,” Mayor Pro Tem Jennifer Antel told Bivins.

The remaining members of the council echoed the sentiments, as Bivens did all the work behind the scenes on her own time.

PHOTO: The foreclosed house at 430 West Superior.

Councilwoman Tracy Bivins