The city council authorized the purchase Tuesday of a fourth run-down property. using grant funds from the state’s Rural Community Recovery Program.
Under the program, in November 2024, the state Department of Economic Development gave the city $1.25 million to acquire legal titles to deteriorating properties and convert them into affordable housing.
Property at 1621 W. 13th St. has been deemed unsafe, and the owner, Steven Vargas, agreed to sell it to the city for $9,742. The amount is in accordance with the taxable valuation of the land that is set by the Lincoln County assessor. The structure was deemed worthless when it came to setting the price.
The council’s approval came on a split vote, after considerable discussion.
Councilman Brad Garrick asked that the topic to be removed from the agenda for routine consent, exercising his prerogative as a councilmember.
Garrick expressed concern about the city, as a taxing authority, buying properties that private citizens may also want to buy. In doing so, he echoed a concern expressed by former councilman Mark Woods at the last meeting. Woods has made a career of restoring residences.
Garrick asked if safeguards are in place to prevent the city from outbidding residents. In reply, City Attorney Bill Troshynski said that the city has not pursued any property that is known to be of interest to private buyers. In this specific case, the homeowner reportedly told the city that no others offers have been made.
Garrick expressed discomfort with the process, noting that the city has already purchased three properties with the grant funds and has received at least one complaint from a resident, Woods, who claimed he was outbid for a property on W. Second. The council voted 5–2 to approve the property purchase, with Garrick and Rieker voting no
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North Platte, the city council’s latest scheme—buying a fourth beat-up property at 1621 W. 13th St. for $9,742, as Kristi Smith’s May 7 piece lays out—is a taxpayer rip-off that’s got me spitting nails. This isn’t about “affordable housing”; it’s government playing real estate baron with our money, shoving locals aside, and leaving the door open for insiders. I’m burning this down with the heat only I can bring, calling out the council’s nonsense and demanding answers.
The council’s tapping a $1.25 million state grant from the Rural Community Recovery Program to grab crumbling properties, claiming they’ll magically become housing. This place is “unsafe,” its structure “worthless” according to the Lincoln County assessor, yet they’re coughing up nearly ten grand. Councilman Brad Garrick wasn’t having it, pulling this off the consent agenda and calling out the city for competing with private buyers like Mark Woods, who’s spent years fixing homes. Woods got outbid by City Hall on a W. Second property—how’s that right? Bill Troshynski’s excuse is that no one else wanted this one, but Woods’ complaint proves the city’s playing dirty. The 5-2 vote—Garrick and Rieker voting no—shows Kelliher and the yes-voters don’t give a damn about regular folks.
This is government bullying at its worst. North Platte’s got folks struggling—16.09% poverty rate (Oxfam America, 2021)—and the council’s blowing cash on a worthless lot? Meanwhile, our streets are a mess; 48% of Nebraska’s roads are rated poor or mediocre (ASCE, 2025). Spend that money fixing potholes or easing our tax load, not chasing pipe dreams. Troshynski’s “no other offers” claim is weaker than watered-down coffee—where’s the proof? No public list of properties, no open bidding. Garrick’s demand for safeguards is spot-on; without them, this smells like a handoff to connected developers down the line.
And don’t tell me insiders aren’t circling. The council’s tight-lipped, just like when they dodge questions about cozy relationships. They’re not naming names, but this kind of deal screams favoritism—public money for private gain. Where’s the transparency on who gets these “housing” projects? The city’s already bought three other properties with this grant, and we’re supposed to just trust them? Woods’ story says we can’t.
This is a slap to every hardworking North Platter. The council’s acting like they own the market, scooping up properties while our roads crumble and our wallets bleed. We sent a message in 2020 with a 77.13% Trump vote (Places.US.Com, 2021)—we’re sick of bureaucrats and their pet projects.
“Bill” — I’ve been dubious that you repeatedly cite “ASCE 2025” — as an evaluation of the state’s infrastructure — when talking about the city’s streets. The two don’t equate.
In checking the ASCE report today, I find that it says 17% of Nebraska’s roads are in poor or fair condition. (click here and scroll down to the fact sheet for the breakdown)
George, Mea culpa—I grabbed a national number (43% US roads, ASCE 2021). But 17%—1,700 miles of crumbling asphalt—is not a victory lap. North Platte’s has streets that are a suspension-killer’s dream. The council burns $9,742 on a condemned pile at 1621 W. 13th St., waving their $1.25 million grant. That’s our money.
On W. Second, Troshynski’s “no other offers” only covers this lot, not Woods’ deal. No public bids, no property list, just a 5-2 vote. Nebraska’s grant rules don’t even require open bidding (DED, 2024), so who’s pocketing these “housing” contracts? With 16.09% of North Platte in poverty (Oxfam, 2021) and $2 million in street repairs still not cutting it (City Budget, 2024), Kelliher’s crew is picking insider handouts over potholes.
77.13% Trump in 2020 (Places.US.Com, 2021) says North Platte hates elitist games. I’ll be here, louder than a jackhammer on 13th St.