COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater Board of Public Utilities Board of Directors gaveCBPU Director Jeff Budd permission Tuesday to enter into negotiations with the Michigan South Central Power Agency to either sell or lease the CBPU property at 168 Division Street.
The CBPU purchased the former Sauk River Trading Post building almost two years ago at a price of $168,000 for the purpose of putting in office space for the Michigan South Central Power Agency and the utility’s technology center.
But some MSCPA members have raised concerns about the cost of the building and the lack of transparency. Budd told the CBPU Board Tuesday that bottom line, the building costs $1.4 million.
Budd is recommending that the MSCPA should own the building.
He added the Coldwater City Council and the CBPU board would have to take action on any transaction.
When the CBPU board gave then Director Paul Beckhusen permission to pursue the purchase of the 8,000 square foot building in September 2016, he said they were in need of additional office space and storage for CBPU, operations along with the potential for relocating the Michigan South Central Power Agency operation to Coldwater, which has taken place.
