Here's a real-life ongoing drama. Certain details have been changed to protect the innocent and guilty for the time being...............

Government Agency operates out of a somewhat historic building near a railroad museum--call it a station for now. Agency identifies a future need to relocate away from said station, and in a well-considered move, approaches the railroad museum and says "You might be able to use this building. Present us with a proposal for its reuse, and we may transfer it to you or sell it to you for $1." Museum brings in an architect and draws up a well-done proposal for adaptive reuse of the building. Agency hits snag in relocating. Museum says "That's OK, we're ready when you are."

Ten years pass. Two administrations as well.

A museum member spots the property on an official surplus-deacquisition/sale list. Museum says to agency, "Hey, you said WE we going to get it." Agency says "We don't know what you're talking about."

Said museum is now frantically trying to locate the documentation on the original offer--basically one or two letters. If they can't be found, they might be screwed out of an opportunity.

I'm hoping all comes out well in the end. But, still........

(It reminds me of a time a county sold a railroad station at sheriff's sale for unpaid taxes, then the attorney across the street who bought it found during the title search that they had been billing the Penn Central and not Conrail for fifteen years...... He succeeded in getting legal title, eventually, but not for the sale price...)