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Downtown business owner seeks to buy two city lots to expand parking and storefronts
Summary
Paula Larson asked the Mound City Council to consider a purchase agreement for two city-owned lots abutting her downtown building, saying the parcels would allow business expansion and customer parking. Council members said she should submit a formal proposal and staff will help place it on a future agenda.
Paula Larson, a downtown property owner, asked the Mound City Council on Feb. 11 to consider selling two city-owned lots that abut her commercial building so she could expand businesses and provide customer parking.
Larson said she has owned the building at 2316 (address given in public comment) for nearly 30 years and that one of the lots north of her building was cleared about 20 years ago and has remained off the tax rolls. "I think it is time to make that corner pretty again," Larson told the council, saying her family business would renovate the corner, provide parking and support nearby businesses.
City officials told Larson there is an established process for property sales and developer proposals. Councilors and staff urged her to submit a preliminary proposal or offer that includes the parcel plotting and an indicated purchase price so the city can review it and, if warranted, refer it to the planning commission. Councilor comments and staff instructions emphasized the two-step approach: (1) present the general plan to council so officials can decide whether the concept is of interest and (2) submit a formal purchase offer and go through planning and any required approvals.
Mayor Holt and council members indicated the council is generally open to discussions but cannot commit to a sale without seeing written parcel descriptions, a formal proposal and price. Council staff said the city previously sold one of the properties and that the council must decide whether to use the prior sale price, an appraised price or accept a new offer.
Larson said she already has an architect drawing and an older proposal on file with the city and will schedule a meeting with staff to pursue next steps. Council staff offered to help place her proposal on a future agenda after the preliminary meeting.
The discussion occurred during the public comment portion of the Feb. 11 meeting; no formal action or vote on a property sale was taken.
