Disposal of City-Owned Properties and Unsold Auction Inventory
Mount Vernon
Summary
The city is trying to sell off long-held vacant properties to get them back on the tax roll, but holding them costs money for repairs and scaffolding. Bids on three properties were closed pending October decisions, and a new auction likely won't happen before year-end.
At a glance
- Total mentions
- 14
- Last 30 days
- 1
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 30, 2026.
Impact analysis
Selling these properties returns them to the tax roll and stops the city from spending on repairs and scaffolding.
Taxpayers, since sold properties generate tax revenue and cost the city less to maintain.
Bidders who must wait until October for a decision on their offers.
Mentions & discussions (11)
Real Estate Committee - Oct 30, 2026
The city is finally moving properties that have sat in its inventory for 10 to 30 years back into private hands. Sales put them back on the tax roll, but some bids came in below the city's upset prices.
Real Estate Committee - Sep 25, 2026
The city is trying to sell off long-held vacant properties to get them back on the tax roll, but holding them costs money for repairs and scaffolding. Bids on three properties were closed pending October decisions, and a new auction likely won't happen before year-end.
Real Estate Committee - Aug 28, 2026
Mount Vernon is actively selling off surplus city-owned properties to return them to the tax rolls and is planning a new online auction for remaining parcels.
Real Estate Committee - Jun 25, 2026
The city accepted a $410,000 bid from Reginald Lowe, Jr. to purchase 52 Mersereau Avenue. The property failed to receive offers during a previous municipal auction.
Real Estate Committee (Special) - Jun 15, 2026
The city is maintaining strict guidelines on property auctions and sales, refusing to negotiate lower prices on accepted bids like the one for 234 East 5th Street.
City Council (Regular) - Jun 10, 2026
The city council evaluated and approved multiple property sales, including properties on Cortlandt Street, South 1st Avenue, and Ellwood Avenue, while rescinding a sale on North High Street due to a misleading listing.
Real Estate Committee - May 28, 2026
The city is establishing clear rules for how people can buy properties that didn't sell at the recent public auction. Buyers must submit formal written offers with verified proof of funds, and the committee is carefully evaluating bids to ensure the city gets fair market value.
Real Estate Committee - Apr 30, 2026
The committee is reviewing policies for selling vacant city-owned lots to adjacent property owners who have maintained them for years. Officials are assessing buildability and square footage values before making offers.
Real Estate Committee - Mar 27, 2026
Mount Vernon is actively managing city-owned properties by reviewing bids, updating contracts, and preparing for an upcoming public auction on May 19, 2026. These actions help return tax-delinquent or city-held properties back to private ownership and productive use.
Real Estate Committee - Feb 27, 2026
Mount Vernon is planning its first city property auction in over a decade for May 19, 2026. Officials are appraising properties and calculating back taxes and fees to set upset prices, with registration handled online through Open.gov.
Real Estate Committee - Jan 30, 2026
Mount Vernon is preparing a comprehensive public auction for 2026 to sell surplus city-owned properties, vacant lots, and unbuilt parcels. The committee reviewed which properties will go to auction, which are reserved for municipal use, and which require further title or legal review.
Related development
Sale of 3 Courtland Street
The property could return to private hands and the tax roll at a price below its prior auction result.
52 Mersereau Avenue Sale
Determines the method of sale for a city-owned residential parcel.
3 Cortlandt Street Sale
Returns surplus city property to private tax-paying rolls.
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda and when it's voted on, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Mount Vernon
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.