The Lodge in Perry. Photo courtesy of Parker Real Estate
PERRY – The Lodge, that large log building in Perry just south of Maddox Ranch House, is in the process of being purchased by Perrt for city offices.
The Lodge is located at 1950 S. HWY 89, Perry.
The 26,000 square foot log building was built in 2000 and sits on 3.8 acres and had a list price of $4.2 million. The city offer of $3.8 million was accepted.
“We went through a lot of negotiating, so that was the approved price,” said Robert Barnhill, the Perry City manager. “It’s been on the market for a few years and we’ve been trying to move out of our existing building.”
For the past several years the city has been in a building that was too small and didn’t have adequate space for a growing community.
“Getting into a bigger building has been on our radar,” he said. “We needed to find a new building or build one. The building we are in is too small. I think it started out as a utility building.”
Perry City would like to make some renovations to the building before they move in, but they haven’t settled on the cost. With contractors and supply chain issues it may take awhile.
“In our next City Council meeting we will try to pass a bond to pay for the building,” he said. “Last year we paid off a bond so we can use those funds. It would not necessarily require a sales tax increase.”
The city would like to make some renovations to the building before they move in, but they haven’t settled on the cost yet.
“They upper space is large event area we plan to use it for city council meetings and we plan to make it available to the public,” Barnhill said. “We hope to be in the building by the end of this year or the beginning of next year.”
He said it may take until the end of 2023 for things fall into place to move.
“We do have tenet that will share the space,” Barnhill said. “I think the response has been positive. The city retired debt last year. Everything appears to be moving forward in a positive way.”
“Perry is growing quite bit,” he added. “Maybe not as much as some cites in Cache Valley.”
Blake Parker, of Parker Real Estate Services, is the listing agent. He said the building is under contract with Perry City.
“They are doing their due diligence or taking all the legal steps required to make the purchase,” he said. “The building has been on the market for three or four years.”
The Lodge had a surgical suite in it but was built as a multi-use property with Maddox using some of the facility for banquets, overflow from the restaurant, wedding receptions and things like that. It was used for 20-plus years.
“All of a sudden, Maddox pulled out,” Parker said. “Something changed and they were just done.”
It’s been sitting empty for several years except for a couple of tenants renting some space.
“I’ve been the listing agent for The Lodge since it closed and actually had several call centers interested in the building, then the pandemic hit and everything stopped,” he said. “Just about everyone has attended a wedding reception or other function there. It is such an iconic building.”