Redevelopment Authority declines purchase of building on High/Pearl block after debate over cost and strategy

The Oshkosh Redevelopment Authority on Sept. 21 voted against a staff recommendation to determine necessity, establish fair market value and authorize purchase of a building located in a block bounded by Pearl, Division, High and Jackson streets (agenda item 62208).

Staff described the property as a white building behind the Town Motel on High Street that has appeared on the MLS, has had past code violations for zoning, minimum housing, property maintenance and building code, and sits inside an area multiple plans have identified as a redevelopment opportunity. Staff said the city could use Scattered Sites CIP funding for acquisition and that tenants would be allowed to remain until they found new housing; demolition and asbestos removal would be city costs if acquisition proceeded.

During discussion, several authority members expressed caution about paying the listed price (approximately $139,000) for a building that staff said would need substantial rehabbing or likely demolition. “I'm not usually in favor if we don't have a specific vision, but it does seem like an opportunity,” one member said, while other members raised concerns about the cost per square foot and whether the authority already owned enough adjacent property to make acquisition strategic.

A roll-call vote rejected the purchase authorization. The transcript records multiple "no" votes from members during the roll call; the motion failed and staff will not proceed with acquisition under the terms presented.

Staff and members discussed continuing to seek other parcels in the block and noted that RDA acquisitions can be long-term efforts that take many years. The authority also noted it had Scattered Sites CIP funds available (staff estimated the account at roughly a million dollars) but emphasized the need to target purchases where multiple properties are available for a coordinated redevelopment plan.