Four Buildings in Hanford, CA: $4; Preservation and Revitalization: Priceless

Hanford, California—a rural farming community in the state’s Central Valley—recently purchased four of what reporter Mike Elman describes as its “most iconic sites.”

“The City Council voted Tuesday to approve an agreement to terminate its current lease from the county and take ownership of the Old Courthouse, The Bastille, Veterans/Senior Center and the old post office at Eighth and Douty streets.” The city purchased the buildings for the price of $1 each.

“Since 1975, the city has leased the buildings from Kings County for $1 each. As written, the 59-year lease would have expired in 2034 with an option to extend for an additional 40 years.”

The city will have to find the money to renovate some of the buildings, but especially the Bastille, with repairs estimated to cost $1 million. Hanford Mayor Gary Pannett views the city’s purchases as a crucial step in revitalizing Hanford’s charming and historic downtown.