Council advances alley-vacation item for properties on South Bridge Street pending owner acknowledgement

City council members introduced an ordinance to vacate an alley located east of South Bridge Street between 126 South Bridge Street and 30 South Bridge Street and moved the item out of committee for further processing, contingent on documentation from the owner.

Why it matters: Alley vacations change public right-of-way status and can affect adjacent property use, utilities and local development. The owner of the adjoining parcels has expressed interest; council members said they want written acknowledgement from the owner before final action to avoid notices and clarify ownership and insurance/liability issues.

What was discussed: Council members said one owner owns the buildings on both sides of the alley but that deeds appear to show two separate companies. A councilperson urged getting a signed statement from the property owner indicating awareness and acceptance of the city’s intent to vacate so that the city will be “not liable” after vacation. The committee voted to bring the item forward for further consideration and to seek the owner’s written acknowledgment before final action.

Next steps: Staff will request a signed acknowledgement from the owner and provide any title or utility-clearance information needed for the vacation process. If property ownership documentation differs (two companies vs. one), council said it would determine whether additional notice is required.

Discussion vs. decision: The motion to bring the vacation ordinance out of committee passed; final vacation requires completion of ownership acknowledgements and the formal ordinance process.

Clarifying detail: Council noted there were no known utility lines under the alley, according to a prior meeting review, but said an explicit confirmation would be sought before final action.