Council refers proposed sale of 1218 Oaks Ave for further review amid Better City questions

The City of Superior Common Council on Nov. 3 voted to refer a proposed sale of city-owned property at 1218 Oaks Avenue to a future meeting for additional review. The council heard that the parcel was listed for sale to the building owner, Steve Grapentine, for $98,000, but several council members asked staff to verify whether the site is part of the Better City redevelopment area before completing the sale.

Why it matters: councilors said the parcel could be important to a long-range redevelopment plan called Better City; selling now could complicate future redevelopment or require the city to repurchase property.

Planning staff introduced the item as a request to waive the city’s land-sale procedures and authorize a purchase agreement and termination/assignment of existing lease documents dated April 4, 2000, and an assignment dated April 4, 2008. During discussion, several councilors said the parcel is in or near an area they understood to be targeted by the Better City initiative and asked for time to confirm boundaries and intent.

Steve Grapentine, who identified himself during the meeting, told the council he is the owner of World of Wheels Skate Center and that the sale would transfer the land under the building to him. He said he was unaware of details about Better City and that he has been established on the site for roughly eight years.

Councilors raised competing priorities: some said the city should avoid selling land that might be needed for a larger redevelopment program; others said delaying sales for an uncertain long-range plan could hurt immediate economic activity in the area. After discussion, the council voted to refer the item so staff could verify whether the parcel is designated for Better City and return with clarification at the next meeting, with the item to be brought back by city staff representative Jason.

The referral preserves the potential sale while directing staff to report back with documentation about the parcel’s status and any formal Better City boundaries or commitments.