Print edition: 
The northwest corner of Washington and Waterman will go up for sale by Sedgwick County.
Commissioners voted 3-1 on Wednesday — with commissioner Kelly Parks voting against — to put the property up for sale by sealed bid. Commissioner Tim Norton was absent.
Parks said the property could be used for downtown and arena parking.
The county bought the land in 2007 to make intersection improvements before the opening of Intrust Bank Arena. It didn't need all of the land, and about 43,000 square feet is available. The land includes one 4,130-square-foot building. The county demolished three other buildings to provide right of way at the intersection.
The county has ordered an appraisal of the land, which it bought for just less than $1 million.
Steve Claassen, the county's facilities director, said "the appraised value was relatively high by virtue of those improvements on it, which we've had to remove."
The county does not need the property, Claassen said. Commissioners agreed that government shouldn't hold on to property it doesn't need.
"There have been several inquiries from citizens who have expressed an interest in purchasing the property," Claassen said.
Commissioner Gwen Welshimer asked county manager William Buchanan if the county has an urgent need for parking at the arena.
Buchanan said there is enough parking now. Commissioner Karl Peterjohn said parking as downtown continues to develop will be a concern in the future.
"Having available extra parking might make sense," Peterjohn said.
Public works director David Spears said a lot there could fit 120 to 150 cars. The cost of a lot would be $100,000 to $210,000, not including demolition of the remaining building.
