Public auction raises $300K for Altus

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  • Auction raises more than $300K
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ALTUS – Last month residents of Altus had a chance to purchase their own bright red vintage firetruck at the City of Altus Public Auction. And someone took advantage of it.

According to Altus Communications Director Tyler Mott, a 1998 firetruck was one of the many items auctioned off that raised more than $301,000 on Sept. 26.

Proceeds from the auction will be added to the city budget to help fund vital city functions, according to Mott.

“I think we did really well,” Mott said. “The property did really well and there may be other items as well, too. So, we were pleased with the results of that.”

Along with the firetruck, the City of Altus also auctioned off an ambulance, 20 assorted cars and trucks and several pieces of heavy equipment from the Altus Landfill.

“We elected to do it this way because we just had this stuff, it was just sitting there, we had to pay for space and the cost of storing things,” Mott said. “If we’re not using them, these were things we weren’t using at all, for whatever reason. We had numerous things and they were either out of date or they had to be replaced for more modern versions.”

The city also sold four tracts of land and the buildings that were on them, including the historic Altus Library at 211 E. Broadway. The parcel of land is 10,496 square feet and the old library is 2,177 square feet.

According to Mott, the land is positioned to be right next to the city’s new downtown plaza.

“Hopefully, they don’t tear it down,” he said. “They can just gut it out and keep the same facade.”

The other tracts of land contained the DOC building and the Jaycee Activity Center. Mott said the individuals who purchased the lots are not under any requirements or obligations to keep the buildings intact despite their historical designation.

“None of them were actual historic landmark type buildings,” Mott added. “Sometimes it’s nice to just keep that same look but redo the interiors.”

Southwest Ledger attempted to get big-ticket item purchasers’ names. However, the City of Altus was unable to provide them by press time.