Richard Preis’ decision to put three Lakeland Drive properties up for sale has drawn some attention. Preis put the three homes on the market last week, following months of withering criticism from Spanish Town residents. They’ve been upset over David Slaughter’s plans to build an apartment complex on land Preis owns across from Arsenal Park. Although the sale wouldn’t affect plans for the Capitol Lofts apartments, and Preis says he and Slaughter are still trying to work with Spanish Town residents to reach a compromise, the sale is kind of a challenge. “If Darryl Gissel is right, these should sell,” says Preis, referring to the Spanish Town Realtor and property owner, who has accused Preis of overinflating the value of his land. Gissel says there’s been a lot of interest in the houses. “It all comes down to square footage and conditions,” he says. “But the history is good.” One of the homes was once owned by Viola Maine Weiss, whose son, Dr. Carl Austin Weiss assassinated former Gov. Huey Long.
Gissel says Spanish Town homes usually change hands without for sale signs going up, noting the recent sale of two properties on Lucilla Lane. “There’s every reason those places should sell, it’s just a matter of people getting in there and finding the right buyer.” Gissel says the easiest situation would be an investor buying the properties, because it may be difficult to get a standard 30-year loan because of the condition and the age of the homes. “Anybody looking at these properties needs to make sure they can make it fit,” he says.—Timothy Boone
