He didn't say what he wants to do with it, but Mayor Ted Bettencourt did notify the City Council this week he wants to purchase an empty building next to City Hall.
Bettencourt is asking the council to consider spending $180,000 from a reserve account to purchase the property at 16-20 Lowell St.
"The purchase of this property will allow the city to make improvements in the downtown as well as to provide some flood mitigation measures in that area," he wrote in a memo.
Councilors received that request Thursday night and put the matter into subcommittee for further review. Bettencourt didn't address the council at that time.
The two-story building is currently owned by Lois and Richard Codair. A storefront on the first floor, at least, has been vacant for a few years.
There was evidence of interior renovations underway Thursday evening, however, and Bettencourt did also submit a copy of an unsigned purchase and sale agreement for the council to review.
According to city records, the building is zoned for Business Central and valued at $177,700.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
