The Payne County Economic Development Authority on Monday was updated about the status of the PCEDA house project at 305 South Noble in Cushing built by building trades students from Central Technology Center in Drumright.
“Central Tech told us that they completed their punch list, and we plan on getting it listed some time here in the near future and hopefully having it sold within the next 90 days,” District 1 Commissioner Zach Cavett said.
Cavett said this was the second house project that PCEDA has partnered with Central Technology Center.
“Both Meridian Technology Center and Central Tech have building trades and electrical departments where they're training kids,” he said. “On this house we authorized Central Tech not to exceed $120,000. They're billing us for all the materials they purchase. They do everything as the general contractor. They build it, they pay for the heat and air, they pay for all the plumbing, whatever they can't do on their own, they pay for it, they buy all the materials. They charge a 10% administration fee and things for nails and things you don't normally expect to cover some of their expenses.”
Cavett said the building partnership has worked out well. He said these homes were built on countyowned properties which they acquired at the County Treasurer's resale due to delinquent property taxes from the previous property owner.
“It's (current property) got a $130,000 to $150,000 home on it,” he said. “We should never see that property back in the name of the county because it's a valuable piece of property. “This the second home we've done doing this within the same couple blocks. And now from the first one we've done to this one, there’s probably about four to five new homes within a three-block radius. It stems some economic growth.”
Cavett said all proceeds from the house sale go back into the Payne County Economic Development Authority.
“All the proceeds will be deposited back into the Economic Development Authority, and we will do it again,” he said.