McKinstry: Yonkers joins the Black Friday fray, selling surplus city property

Friday November 16, 2012 2:51 PM By Gerald McKinstry

Photo credit: Angela Gaul | City Hall on S. Broadway in downtown Yonkers. (Feb. 23, 2012)

Anyone looking to get a leg up on Black Friday shopping can stop by Yonkers for a historic-looking timepiece or a virtually unused “snow dragon.”

While the lines won’t be as long as those at nearby malls, buyers should beware: There are no returns.

The city is hawking its clock -- the one stationed in the main plaza in Getty Square for decades -- for a cool $660.

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City officials tell me is has no historic value and it’s at least worth the asking price in scrap metal. Personally, I think it would be a great conversation piece in one of the city’s many watering holes, where it may or may not be protected from the elements. But I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends up as some sort of gaudy holiday lawn ornament.

A new clock -- priced at $19,500 -- has already been installed as part of a downtown makeover, which includes $500,000 in new lighting and sidewalks. The streetscape funding came from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

If clocks aren’t on your list, then maybe a snow melter is. This contraption is basically new and retails for $200,000. Yonkers is asking $75,000.

Mayor Mike Spano last year started selling surplus items online. In the past year, the city has sold 40 surplus items for $60,000.

“This simple method of generating revenue for the city has become an accessible way of turning years of excessive spending into significant savings for taxpayers,” Spano said. “With the holiday season approaching, I encourage those looking for a great deal to check out our new inventory of items – from cars to fire hydrants. We all can contribute to the repairing of our city’s fiscal health.”

This year’s list is loaded with Crown Victorias, Chevy Impalas and an antique fire hydrant that has been parked on a city street since 1933.

The asking price for the hydrant: $100. But you’d better add a few bucks for the Lysol.
 

Tags: yonkers , clock , black friday , sale , online , auction , snow melter