Tacoma residents will soon learn more about the future of a neighborhood community center put up for sale early this year.

Tacoma’s South End Neighborhood Center, a 9,500-square-foot facility located at 7802 South L St. built more than 30 years ago, is owned by the City of Tacoma and has been operated and maintained by Metro Parks Tacoma. Although it is home to Kid Power Day Care Center, a communications hub for Clear Wire wireless, and an air monitoring station for the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency, it has seen better days. According to a condition assessment report completed four years ago, the building faces approximately $1.18 million in deferred maintenance over the next decade.

In September, the City published a Request for Proposals (RFP) in an effort to draw interest from prospective buyers. Last year, the building and its 51,876-square-foot site, were appraised at $500,000. The City is seeking a minimum bid of $430,000, as well as an agreement from the buyer to use the property in a way that benefits the surrounding community. An advisory committee consisting of City officials and a member of the general public referred to by the South End Neighborhood Council will have a say in the outcome. The RFP deadline is Tues., Oct. 30. Tacoma City Council will make the final approval on the sale.

According to City staff, notice of the pending sale was published in the Tacoma Daily Index, posted on the City’s Web site, and mailed to property owners and residents within 1,000 feet of the property.

A decision on the sale is expected to be made next month.

Tacoma City Council’s government performance and finance committee meeting is scheduled to discuss the issue during its meeting on Weds., Oct. 31 at 4 p.m. in the Tacoma Municipal Building, 747 Market Street, Conference Room 248. A copy of the agenda and meeting materials are available online here.