Kouvola city is auctioning two municipal buildings this week. The properties include a historic wooden school building and a former village shop with two lots.
The Pilkanmaa school building dates back to 1910 and spans 290 square meters. It originally served as a school and most recently as a school cafeteria before closing earlier this year.
City Building Manager Anneli Vartiainen said no inquiries or viewing requests have been made for the wooden structure yet. The city is selling the building for demolition and relocation from its current plot.
The buyer must remove the building and clean the demolition site by the end of May next year. The starting price is €1,100, with no bids made by Wednesday. The auction closes on Sunday.
Kouvola is also auctioning the former Selänpää village store. This property includes two lots with buildings. Six bids had been placed by Wednesday, with the highest reaching €5,000.
City Building Manager Kalle Rento noted the first weeks saw little activity. Then offers started coming in gradually.
Viewers have visited the site and asked detailed questions through messages, Rento added.
The city regularly considers auctioning its properties and buildings as one disposal option. Officials hope the structures will find new uses.
Last year, the city sold an old farmhouse for €1,000. That building traveled from Hirvelä to the shores of Lake Inari this August.
The entrepreneur who bought it paid approximately €50,000 to transport the structure in two parts. This shows the potential costs buyers face when relocating historic Finnish buildings.
Municipal auctions provide affordable options for those willing to invest in relocation and renovation. The current lack of interest in the school building suggests its remote location or condition may deter buyers.