The City of Brookings is in the residential rental business. By two separate , 7-0 rollcall votes at its Tuesday meeting , the City Council approved the purchase of two properties :

- 368 22nd Ave. S., owned by Greg Kastner and J e n n i f e r Kastner, went for $149,900; and "¢ 2150 Derdall Drive, the former home of the late Dwight Adams and Nevorah Adams, went for $172,500. Behind the purchases was the city's watchful waiting to see what happens as the Dakota, Minnesota & Eastern Railroad continues planning that could daily bring 34 mile-long-plus coal trains through the heart of Brookings and right past the two purchased properties.

Explaining the rationale for the purchases, City Manager Jeffrey Weldon said, "If and when the city at some point in the future decided that it was needed to have a land bank, that would provide for additional space to construct an overpass as a solution to the railroad safety at the intersection of the D M & E Railroad and 22nd (Avenue)." He described the properties as "two residential parcels across the street from each other."

Closing dates for both properties will be set for mid- to late August.

The two houses will undergo electrical and structural inspections ; radon and mold tests have also been scheduled.

Addressing payment for the properties, Weldon said, "We will be using funds from the salesand-use tax raised in 2007 ... to make these cash purchases."

While the city waits to see what happens in its dealings with DM&E, the houses won't be left sitting empty.

In response to a question from Councilor Julie Whaley, Weldon explained, "The plan was to rent them out as rental units, and if and when at some point in the future we decide that it's not needed for that purpose , we can sell them put them back on the market.

"But the intent is to have some revenue income, (to) be able to rent them. And I've already got interest from the seller to rent back from us the house on 22nd Avenue; so right now, it looks like we have a tenant , pending negotiations of a rental amount."

Appliances will be included with both house purchases.

John Kubal may be reached at jkubal@brookingsregister.com.