City reaches deal with Caribou contractor
By Kathy McCarty
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — City officials have conveyed a parcel of land on the State Road to a Caribou contractor in exchange for work needed at a site in the Industrial Park.
Larry Clark, executive director of the Presque Isle Industrial Council, provided councilors with an overview of the transaction during a recent City Council meeting.
Clark said around 1981 the city owned about 40 acres near the intersection of the State Road and Skyway Street and then bought a piece of land from the railroad, with the intention of one day developing the property. In time, a portion was sold to Dale Powers. Powers has since sold the property to Carl Soderberg, president of Soderberg Construction of Caribou. Clark indicated a small section remained in the city’s possession and he recommended it be transferred to Soderberg, in exchange for some demolition work needed to be performed at a site on the Industrial Park.
“Earlier this year, Carl Soderberg purchased the Dale Powers property (43 acres) located south of Skyway Street and west of the State Road. The northeast corner is bound by a city-owned parcel (1.06 acres) for which Soderberg expressed an interest in acquiring,” said Clark, in a memo to councilors.
“Following negotiations, the Industrial Council directors unanimously voted to recommend the city-owned parcel be conveyed to Soderberg as a part of an overall agreement to remove the above-ground concrete floor/foundation remaining from the demolition of building 608 located on Cross Street. The agreement was for a total sum of $28,000 with a credit of $10,000 allowed for the city-owned land; a credit of $8,000 allowed for the stockpiled material located north of the FedEx building; and $10,000 cash paid by the PIIC,” continued Clark.
Clark advised councilors Soderberg bought the Powers property and was interested in the city’s parcel because he wanted it for “future development.” Clark did not elaborate what Soderberg might have planned for the site. Soderberg was not present.
Councilors unanimously agreed to convey to Soderberg, by quitclaim deed, the city-owned land, containing approximately1.06 acres, and located at southerly of Skyway Street and the westerly side of State Road.
