Palmer wants Mat Maid property

PALMER — Matanuska Maid may have milked all it could, but its property in Palmer may have a new future.

The City of Palmer is taking the first steps in a process it hopes will lead to the acquisition of Mat Maid’s Palmer location. City Manager Bill Allen will officially approach Palmer City Council on Tuesday to ask it to authorize initial negotiations with the state Board of Agriculture and Conservation, which also acts as the Creamery Board and is in charge of Mat Maid.

The 71-year-old dairy operation closed for good last month and attempts by the state to sell its property and assets have been unsuccessful.

Ray Nix, state Division of Agriculture asset manager, said the Mat Maid property in Palmer covers about three acres near the city’s downtown district and has an assessed value of about $400,000, including a building located on the land. Nix said a new appraisal is necessary to determine a more accurate valuation.

Palmer is eager to own the site to make sure it is developed from a community perspective, Allen said.

“We really want that property,” he said, adding communication with the state agriculture board began about two months ago. At that time, he sent a letter expressing the city’s interest.

The property is a vital part of future plans for downtown Palmer, Allen said. Overall, the city wants to create more user-friendly green space and develop more opportunities for residents to enjoy downtown Palmer.

“I just want to make Palmer a lot more appealing and attractive than it already is,” he said.

Along with green space and business opportunities, the property could provide a prime location for a much-needed community center, Allen said.

Mayor John Combs said he shares Allen’s vision, and said the land would be a valuable and welcome addition to the city. Combs said there are many options for how the city could use the land. Like Allen, he expressed interest in a possible community center, but also expressed interest in restoring the current building on the site to maintain the historical aspect of the downtown area.

Palmer also hopes to look into buying other property in the same area, if it becomes available, Combs said. The land on which the Palmer water tower rests is owned privately. The city had a chance to purchase the parcel several years ago but ultimately decided against it.

“It’s been one of those things I’ve been kicking myself for ever since,” Combs said, adding that he wasn’t mayor at the time, but was on the city council.

Kristan Cole, chair of the state Board of Agriculture and Conservation, said there is still a lot of work to be done before it is determined how Mat Maid’s assets would be disposed of and who may acquire them. In addition to Palmer, Cole said the state has been contacted by numerous parties expressing an interest in buying the property. The board plans to meet Jan. 15 to discuss, among other business, the inquires received from interested buyers.

Although the disposal of the property is on the board’s to-do list, Cole said it’s just one part of the overall process of shutting down and liquidating Matanuska Maid Dairy.

“Right now we have been focused on getting Mat Maid wound down,” Cole said.

When it comes time to sell the property, the asset manager will provide the board with recommendations on how to do that. Overall, the goal is to provide the best possible financial return for the state.

Contact Chris Gillow at chris.gillow@frontiersman.com or 352-2284.