The Inter-Mountain photo by Taylor McKinnie Elkins City Attorney Geraldine Roberts, at right, explains the auction details for a municipal property as Lanny Propst, left, with Propst Realty, prepares to bid on behalf of MegaCorp Logistics, LLC. Elkins Mayor Jerry Marco, center left, and Elkins Executive Secretary Mikayla Goins, center right, stand by and observe the auction.

ELKINS — MegaCorp Logistics, LLC, through a proxy, purchased a piece of municipal property from the City of Elkins for $12,950 in a public sale auction this week.

The purchased municipal property is a 1,462 square-foot grassy space on the rear side of MegaCorp’s location at 124 3rd St., the former Montgomery Ward building. The auction was held on the steps of Elkins City Hall.

The space was appraised by Hart Appraisal Services LLC for $12,500, according to the appraisal documents posted by the City of Elkins. According to the sale announcement posted by the City, the property was to be sold “‘as-is,’ meaning that the buyer of the property will assume all liabilities, its condition and any hazards.”

“The minimum bid, starting price, is $12,950, which is the appraised value of $12,500 plus the cost of the appraisal, which was $450,” Elkins City Attorney Geraldine Roberts said at the auction’s start.

During the June 12 Elkins City Council meeting, Roberts informed council that the city was required to hold a public sale for municipal properties valued over $1,000. Roberts also explained that the appraisal and subsequent public sale came after MegaCorp made a request to buy the property.

“We had a specific request,” Roberts said during the meeting. “…We (the City of Elkins) don’t see a reason not to honor the request, and they’re (MegaCorp) willing to pay the appraised price.”

Lanny Propst with Propst Realty was present at the June 17 auction on behalf of MegaCorp and made a bid at the starting price. Roberts informed the bidder that 10% of the cost was expected to be paid that day, while the other 90% would need to be paid to the Elkins City Treasurer Tracy Judy within 30 days of the exact date of sale. Roberts accepted the bid after no other bids were made.

Propst told The Inter-Mountain that he was bidding on MegaCorp’s behalf as “they were out of town.” He explained that MegaCorp wanted the property as part of a proposed green space for their employees.

“(MegaCorp) wants to do a nice little, I think it’s going to be a courtyard for all their employees,” Propst told The Inter-Mountain. “Have a little green space downtown. (The property) didn’t really work for anybody except them. The city doesn’t need it.”