Commission approves sale of surplus city property at 2710 Onalaska Avenue; CDBG reimbursement planned

The Economic and Community Development Commission voted March 26 to recommend sale of a City-owned home at 2710 Onalaska Avenue and to follow the city's replacement-housing process as the sale moves to City Council.

City housing staff said the City purchased the lot and adjacent property in 2021, rehabilitated the home at 2710 to bring it into flood-plain compliance using federal CDBG funds, and now seeks to sell the property through the replacement-housing procedures the City uses for CDBG- or HOME-funded housing. Staff said the sale will also reimburse the CDBG program for additional funds expended to make the home compliant with flood-plain rules.

Staff reported the home is currently listed at $192,000; staff also said it had previously been listed at about $202,000. The property includes an income restriction because federal HOME dollars were invested, and staff said an owner-occupancy deed restriction will remain on the property (staff stated a typical owner-occupancy restriction term of 10 years, subject to the amount invested).

Commission President Kalow moved approval of the resolution and Commissioner Markerson seconded. The motion carried by voice vote with no recorded opposition. Staff said the commission's approval grants the ECDC authority to proceed with the replacement-housing process; the recommended sale will next go to City Council for final approval and conveyance.

Staff did not provide a buyer name at the commission meeting and said final sale terms and full buyer financials would be presented to council-level reviewers when the item advances.