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1. What is the current status of the Miracle Valley Bible College?

Cochise County currently owns the property. Arizona is a property tax lien state, which means that individual investors can buy tax liens on delinquent properties. If property taxes are not paid, the County Treasurer will sell the delinquent lien at public auction. Auctions are held at least annually. If a parcel does not receive a bid offer during the auction pursuant to A.R.S. 42-18301, the parcel will be added to the list of parcels held by State Deed/assigned to the state. The Miracle Valley property was deeded to the state in March of 2022, which concurrently put it under the care of the Board of Supervisors. The County attempted to auction the property in September of 2023. Ultimately, neither of the property bidders elected to move forward with the sale. Following additional property remediation, the property will be placed up for auction in the summer of 2024.

2. Why does the County want to sell the Miracle Valley Bible College property?

The intent of the auction process is to receive the highest return on the sale of all property. This is money that goes towards infrastructure upgrades and public services County-wide. In many cases, the sale of tax delinquent property requires some site preparation. Tax delinquent properties are often neglected properties, and include may include sometime substantial trash, debris, and dilapidated structures. Older buildings, like those present at Miracle Valley, may include asbestos as a building material. Cleaning up the property will support the County's goal to obtain the highest price for the property at the auction. The presence of trash, dilapidated structures, and hazardous materials discourages interest in properties and may even prevent any sale at all.

3. Can I visit the Miracle Valley property?

No. As a result of many years of property neglect and exposure to the elements, several buildings on the property have unstable floors, ceilings, or walls, which could collapse without warning.  The same structures have been vandalized and are damaged by fires. In addition, the buildings may also contain sharp objects, like broken glass, or other debris that can cause injuries. Finally, the Limited Regulated Building Material Report for the site, finalized in October 2022, indicates there are several structures that contain Asbestos Containing Material (ACM) and lead-based paint. Asbestos fibers, released by disturbance and decay, can cause serious health risks and to date, no safe level of exposure to ACM has been established.

4. What is the zoning of the property and what type of future uses are permitted?

The property is zoned rural, minimum lot size 4-acres (RU-4). Rural zoning is intended, in part, to encourage those types of non-residential and non-agricultural activities which serve local needs or provide a service and are compatible with rural living and to provide space for people, minimize traffic congestion, and preserve the existing rural environment of unincorporated areas of the County situated outside of existing communities. Permitted uses include, but are not limited to places of worship, days care facilities, and residential use. For a full list of permitted and special uses in rural zoning, please consult Section 2.15 of the Zoning Regulations.

5. Is the Miracle Valley property a designated historic district or on the national register of historic places?

No. In May of 2023, the State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) issued a determination that the properties associated with the Allen ministry, including the tabernacle building, are potentially eligible for listing in the National and Arizona Registers of Historic Places. However, the eligibility does not compel a listing or any further consultation with the state historic preservation officer.

A formal nomination, by the property owner, on the National Register’s registration form, is required to list a property in the National Register of Historic Places. This is a technical document requiring a description of the property and justification for its eligibility, as well as supplementary material such as photos and maps. Once all parts of the form are complete, it is scheduled for a public hearing by the Arizona Historic Sites Review Committee (HSRC). The HSRC meets three times a year, usually in March, July, and November. The HSRC's role is to advise the SHPO on the eligibility of properties and to make recommendations on whether properties should be submitted to the Keeper of the National Register for final determination. If everything is in order and approved then the registration form is submitted to the Keeper, an official of the National Park Service, for final approval.