City to seek approval to transfer 604 Vernette lot to Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity

City staff presented a proposed sale of 604 Vernette Street — a vacant lot in the Northridge neighborhood that the city holds in trust after demolition of a blighted structure — to Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity.

Riley Thomason summarized the history: the structure was demolished in August 2023 after long‑running code enforcement; in May 2024 a judgment for unpaid taxes left the property with outstanding liens; the property was struck off to the City of Richardson in May 2025 and is held in trust for taxing entities (Dallas County, Richardson ISD, Parkland Hospital, Dallas College). The city must obtain a waiver or transfer of those taxing interests before a sale can close.

Under the proposed terms, the city would pay roughly $15,000 in court costs to acquire the interests and then sell the lot to Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity for $25,000; proceeds would be used to recoup court costs and part of the demolition expense (~$60,000). Habitat estimates construction to take approximately four to six months after transfer.

Next steps: a resolution to authorize the sale will appear on the July 27 consent agenda; county and school district actions are expected in August with a fall completion timeline contingent on cooperating actions by the taxing entities.