Coos Bay staff report progress on Inglewood property, plan to demolish two Empire buildings and pause community grant awards

City staff provided updates on several property and redevelopment matters, including a private demolition timeline for a Newmark property, renewed discussions about the Inglewood School parcel, planned city removal of two buildings in Empire and a temporary pause to the city’s community grant solicitation.

City Manager Nicole reported that the owner of the property at 1410‑?? Newmark (address per staff) is pursuing demolition and that staff understands bids are being sought with a projected 90‑day timeframe for completion. “They are undergoing the necessary efforts to start the demolition process and ... they are looking at a 90 day time frame for that to be completed,” Nicole said.

On the Inglewood School site — a property the county foreclosed years earlier and on which the city previously partnered with the county to clear the parcel for redevelopment — Nicole said the city has renewed conversations with county officials about possible transfer of ownership or amending the original intergovernmental agreement. Staff and council discussed options including soliciting a request for proposals (RFP) for housing development if ownership transfers to the city.

Council members said they prefer workforce and conventional housing options rather than “alternative” or specialized housing that could have different tax and service implications. Staff said the existing 2021 agreement and previous low‑income housing intentions may need to be revisited to match current needs and funding realities.

In Empire, staff said operations crews plan to remove two buildings at the site known as the Franco gas station and temporarily convert the cleared property to a parking lot to help downtown Empire parking needs. Staff said they will coordinate environmental testing and expect to complete removal in February.

The city also announced a temporary pause to the annual community grants solicitation while staff and council consider constrained budgets and the best timing for distributing general fund grants; the city noted a standing $10,000 contractual payment to the Boys & Girls Club remains in force. Staff told the council they had notified recurring applicants of the pause and will discuss grant priorities again during the budget process.

Other brief items noted by staff included renewed conversations about camping‑map designations (livability committee review) and language to address vehicles occupying park parking areas in ways that affect other users. Council asked staff to return with map updates and proposed ordinance language for review.