Malad’s Kwik Stop gas station is expanding into a truck stop. The company must buy property around the area to make room. The expansion so far has purchased all properties on the block except for Mylene and Fred Jones’ home. If they chose not to sell their home will be the only home left on the block.
Mylene and Fred Jones have lived in their home for 28 years. Over the years they have raised two children and paid off their mortgage.
“They called a week ago and asked if we wanted to sell,” Mylene said. “I said yes, thinking they would offer a fair price, because I don’t want a truck stop in my back yard.”
The property is valued around $110,000 but the company that is in charge of expanding is only offering $55,000.
“They said they don’t really need our property, it would just be for expansion and parking,” Mylene said.
The company has bought some of the houses and property around the Jones’ home.
One of the houses was for sale by two citizens that are currently in the town nursing home. Money from the sale of home will be used toward the continued care of these two nursing home residents. This home was listed for sale for about $80,000 -- it included a few acres of land. It is unknown what it was sold for but they did receive less than the asking price.
Another of the Jones’ neighbors was offering to sell for more than the property value. The company said they would only offer the property value on that particular home and the home sold.
“Because of the truck stop, the Jones’ property value will go down...they have already paid off their home and if they were to take the offer they would have to go back into debt to live somewhere else,” said Roxanne Albretsen, Mylene’s sister-in-law.
“We are not selling for half of our property value because where are we going go...we can’t go anywhere for that price,” Mylene said.
According to City Hall, the truck stop is required to put up sound barriers for the residential homes that remain there. They are also required to make sure their drainage will not effect the homes. All of this will be at the truck stop’s expense.
