Several bidders expected when Wichita Greyhound Park land is sold Tuesday

Gambling magnate Phil Ruffin will have some competition when the site of the Wichita Greyhound Park goes on the auction block Tuesday.

Ruffin owns the buildings on the property and shut down the track in 2007 after Sedgwick County voters narrowly rejected slot machines at the racetrack, and he’s expressed a desire to buy the land, too.

The auction will be held at noon Tuesday at Sedgwick County Fire Station 32, 7750 Wild West Drive, in Park City.

“I believe we’re going to make a bid on the property,” Ruffin said. “Since we own the building, we should own the land.”

He’s not sure how much competition he’ll have for the property, Ruffin said.

“Why would they want the land without the building?” he asked.

Jeff Lowrance, property development manager for Lange Real Estate, said on Monday that he anticipates a number of bidders to be involved, based on communications they’ve received since the county announced plans to auction the land.

The property has been appraised for more than $2 million. Ruffin pays the county about $87,000 a year in rent for the land under an agreement that runs through 2039.

Sedgwick County Commissioners Richard Ranzau and Jim Howell have said selling the property would ultimately be a bad deal for the county if Ruffin can get the Legislature to authorize a re-vote on slots at the track. Ruffin has tried for years to get a re-vote, but he has been unsuccessful.

“I don’t know why they want to put it up for auction,” Ruffin said, “but if they do, we’ll bid on it.”

Commissioners who supported selling the property — David Unruh, Michael O’Donnell and David Dennis — said they think it would be better to get what they can now.

At one time, the park employed more than 250 people.

This story was originally published July 15, 2018 at 1:55 PM.