Escanaba council approves $150,000 counteroffer for six city lots; discusses 5.17-acre condo proposal

ESCANABA, Mich. — The Escanaba City Council on Aug. 21 approved a counteroffer of $150,000 for a package of six city-owned lots on South 30 Second Street and received a presentation — with no vote — on the proposed sale of a 5.17-acre triangular parcel north of Third Avenue South for a condominium project.

The approved counteroffer, moved and voted on during the regular meeting, will be presented to the prospective buyer. Council voting recorded in the meeting transcript shows the counter passed with four votes in favor and one against.

The council action on the six lots follows months of interest from builders and a city analysis estimating that six single-family homes on the parcels would generate roughly $1.1 million in combined sale proceeds, taxes and utility revenue for the city over 20 years if built and occupied, compared with a lower projected return if the city waited longer for a higher sale price.

Resident Jim Soderberg, who lives on South 30 Second Street, told the council he and his neighbors are "not opposed to either, items 1 or 2 on the agenda," but urged the council to consider traffic impacts if the lots and the larger parcel are developed. Soderberg told the council the street currently has 18 houses and eight undeveloped lots and estimated development would…