Who's got the 'deep pockets' to bid on the Claim Jumper?

(Park Record) There is at least some chatter in commercial real estate circles about the Claim Jumper building, several people in the industry said in interviews, an indication that there could be people placing bids when the historic building is put on the auction block in a trustee's sale later this month.

The seriousness of the interest, though, is difficult to gauge from the interviews. The Claim Jumper has been on the market for months, and the listing agent, Eric Nelson, said there have been "numerous offers." He declined to discuss the amount of the offers. The building is listed at $7.2 million, he said.

The auction is scheduled Dec. 23. The Arizona firm that owns the building owed an Oklahoma City-based lender nearly $6.9 million on the building as of Nov. 1, 2008. Summit County values the building and the land it occupies at $2,460,000.

Nelson said he does not expect many bidders. He said the lender, MidFirst Bank, could be a player, though.

"We'll see. I don't know," Nelson said.

The bidders would be elbowing for a chance to purchase one of Main Street's largest buildings. The Arizona firm that owns the historic Claim Jumper had envisioned opening a boutique hotel in the building. The firm, Germaine Partners, though, scaled back its plans for Main Street amid the recession. It is heavily invested on Main Street beyond the Claim Jumper.

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