A joint bid on the former Riversedge subdivision has been upset, Roanoke Rapids City Manager Joseph Scherer reported to council at its work session this evening.

The bid that upstaged the joint effort between the city and county’s offer was for $432,000, the city manager said following the meeting.

The city and county had submitted the highest bid of $410,566 as a way to collect more than the delinquent taxes owed on the subdivision, which is located off Old Farm Road.

Developers of the subdivision owe $400,000 in unpaid taxes. “Our original intent was to make sure someone didn’t low bid it,” Scherer said.

That an upset bid was received is viewed as a success, the city manager said. “We want to wait to see if any more come in. It turns it back into a foreclosure sale.”

The city is expected to receive some $200,000.

The developers of the subdivision bought 74 acres of land along Old Farm Road and subdivided it into two parts. Twenty-one lots have been sold.

The city has settled with the developers’ bond company and is expected to receive $115,000.

The bond settlement is related to the developers’ failure to complete the paving of streets within the subdivision as well as their failure to install streetlights and other infrastructure.

There is now another 10-day upset bid period on the remaining unsold lots in the subdivision.

In another matter this evening council members of the Roanoke Rapids High School DECA Club with a proclamation recognizing November as DECA month.

Parks and Recreation Director John Simeon said thus far there have been 37 entries for the Roanoke Rapids Christmas Parade. There are thus far two professional floats and four Shrine units.