Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Downtown Property Concerns topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Residents ask council about $500,000 mortgage and long-vacant downtown properties
Summary
During public comment, residents raised concerns about a downtown building said to carry a $500,000 mortgage, long-vacant properties purchased years ago, and tenants' difficulties with management and rent collection.
Residents addressed the St. Marys City Council during the public comment period with questions about downtown properties and rental-management issues, pressing the council and staff for clarity on an outstanding mortgage and on plans for long-vacant buildings.
A resident asked whether the city-held mortgage on the Fort Myers building was for $500,000. Zach, identified in the meeting as a city staff member, replied, “500,000,” when asked about the mortgage amount. The resident followed by listing other figures he had heard and pressing for information about whether the city would recover that money if the property is sold.
Tenants and a person identifying themselves as watching over one building told council they had been removing garbage, monitoring fire systems and maintaining basic safety but said management had been absent and that past rent collections were misused. One speaker said they were willing to pay rent but asked the council for guidance on where to direct those payments.
Why this matters: residents and nearby businesses raised concerns that long-term vacancy and deferred maintenance are creating blight risks and safety issues downtown. Speakers asked the city to clarify ownership, mortgage encumbrances and whether the revolving loan fund or state grants were involved.
Details recorded in the meeting:
- Mortgage amount: When asked about a mortgage on the Fort Myers building, staff member Zach answered, “500,000.” He also said that the amount came out of a revolving loan fund and was tied to a state grant, as reported during the exchange.
- Long-vacant buildings: Commenters named a privately owned downtown property purchased by an owner referred to as Klosterman about five years earlier and said they had not seen redevelopment activity since. Council members and staff did not report a formal plan for the property during the meeting.
- Tenant concerns: Tenants or occupants at the building said they were trying to keep the structure safe, remove garbage and monitor utilities, and asked for direction on how to pay rent so funds would be properly managed.
No formal council action or vote on these items was recorded at the meeting. Council members did not announce next steps during the public-comment period; residents asked that someone contact the buyer or provide clearer oversight options for stalled downtown properties.
