A county building that stood empty for more than a year might have a new chance at life.

The nonprofit organization LIFESPAN, put in a bid of $145,000 to purchase the building at 2143 Asheville Road in Waynesville, more commonly known as the Annex III building. Previously the building housed United Way and Big Brothers Big Sisters and then it was used as storage for the health department, which was in the building next door.

County Manager Marty Stamey said when the health department moved into the newly renovated county building on Paragon Parkway in Clyde, the Annex III building was no longer needed.

Several people have looked at the property in the past year, but LIFESPAN is the first organization to make a formal offer to the county, which was secured with a 5 percent deposit on the ...