HUMBOLDT — The old city hall here has been vacant for a year and City Administrator Larry Tucker thinks it would make a good incubator for a fledgling business.
He proposed to the City Council Monday evening that the building, containing about 5,000 square feet at 701 Bridge St., be offered rent-free for a year including free or reduced-priced utilities.
Council members seized the idea and a committee, yet to be appointed by Mayor Nobby Davis, will fine-tune the proposal.
Tucker’s plan provides the building rent-free for a year, and then charge $600 a month rent the second year and $1,000 a month the third. Utilities, less electricity, provided in Humboldt by Westar, would be free the first year, charged out at 25 percent of costs the second and 50 percent the third.
After the third year a new set of conditions would be negotiated, with the assumption that rent would be market price and full charges would be made for utilities.
Council members embraced the concept.
Tucker said efforts had been made to sell the building, which became vacant when city operations, including the Police Department, were moved to the building a block to the east that formerly held Humboldt National Bank.
Prospective business owners would have to give the city a detailed business plan and a thorough financial accounting. Coaching, either through Pittsburg State University’s business development group or from local sources, would be available to nurture the business.
Vacant Humboldt building to serve as incubator
