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PORT NECHES  — A plot of land that is owned by the Port Neches-Groves Independent School District that sat vacant for years has a new owner and purpose.

Earlier this week trustees with the school district approved the sale of three lots — approximately 1.24 acres of land — at 1025 Port Neches Avenue.

The buyer of the property is the City of Port Neches.

City Manager Andre Wimer said the primary purpose of the city’s property acquisition is to provide additional parking for Port Neches Avenue businesses and special events.

When asked how the sale of the property is beneficial to the district and the city, PNGISD Board President Brandon Cropper said he cannot speak on behalf of the city but believes the city has the community’s best interest for the future growth and development of the area to draw more businesses and people to support the community.

The property has a long history and was once the home of First National Bank Port Neches. The property changed hands and the decision was made to demolish the building after several tries at selling the property. The district was wrangling with the issue of demolition in 2010 when a businessman expressed interest in the property but the sale did not occur.

So the land sat vacant for a bit longer.

The district solicited bids in January for the land and received the one bid, which was from the city.

The cost of the land is $350,000.

Cropper said the downtown area of Port Neches is seeing rapid growth and development, with the opening of multiple boutique shops, Advantage Real Estate, The Avenue Coffee and Café, Neches Brewing Company, Meridian Wine Bar, Avenue Ax and, most recently, Redbird BBQ, which brings increased interest to the avenue.

“The area has also seen established businesses grow in the last couple of years, as well as renovations of older buildings, such as the G-Force building across from the post office,” he said.

“With all the growth in the area, the district had been approached on numerous occasions by individuals and investors inquiring about the property, prompting the notice out for bid and potential sale of the property.”