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Dear Editor:
The topic of interest was how the city was going to deal with the vacant lot at 422 East Main. When I was with the city, I worked extremely hard to get the old “Norms Conoco” property cleaned up so that it could be put to a public good. It was a toxic lot due to contaminants from the old service station and dry-cleaning shop. After much time, effort and money with help from the DEQ, that cleanup was accomplished. Shortly after I left office in 2015 the land was sold by the city at a price that was way below appraised market value as economic development. It was intended to benefit the city with another coffee shop!
I had always envisioned that the city would use this “jewel” as a green space with public restrooms which the downtown area needs very badly. Considering all the “no public bathroom” signs on every business on main the need is obvious. When a public event happens on Main Street, now the port-a-potties spring up like mushrooms. What an image for our community.
Mayor Hancock explained how the lot was sold for such a low price without putting it on the market. Apparently, the city can sell a piece of land without the normal process if they advertise it one time, and it is for economic development with stipulations. So with a “legal sleight of hand” it was sold below market value without having to compete with another buyer. Sweet.
The land was sold to Amanda Henry with the stipulation that work had to begin within 18 months on her coffee shop, or it would revert back to the city. Six years and two or three extensions later, we still have nothing except a vacant lot. It became apparent that the local businesses did not want to lose their convenient parking on a valuable piece of ground.
I was in hopes that the council would have the vision and courage to recognize the need of the community over this self-interest by the business owners and take the land back to use as a beautiful green space with public restrooms. I have been on the losing side of the public restroom argument, but the need is still there. Ask any realtor how valuable a home with no bathroom is…
After six years of breach of contract and a sweetheart deal, the council gave Ms. Henry a five-year extension. Unbelievable.
As a CITIZEN, this lot at 422 East Main is/was MY property and I resent the casual way that it is being dealt with by the council. In my opinion, for what it is worth, the highest and best use of that land should be to help meet the needs of our community. Beautification and community development, for both local and the traveling public, should trump the self-interest over some noisy local businessmen and women. That is not the case, with the exception of Councilman Larson, who has my thanks.
Signed,
Ron Warpness