Lebanon Redevelopment Commission awards bid for 124–126 N. Lebanon St. to Dunamis group

The Lebanon Redevelopment Commission voted 3–2 to award the redevelopment bid for 124–126 North Lebanon Street to the Dunamis group during a special year-end meeting.

The commission’s decision followed debate about competing proposals, changes to a bidder’s cost estimates that were provided to commissioners after the initial public submission, and legal guidance on how the commission must treat revised information. Commissioners also voted to allow the commission to consider offers below the original asking price of $497,500 and approved routine year-end claims payments.

Commissioners and staff spent the bulk of the meeting reviewing two proposals for the downtown property and the integrity of the bidding process. Ben (staff) told commissioners he had requested and circulated written communications and supporting documents from a bidder after a commission member forwarded an email from that bidder. Ben told the commission the Dunamis team’s per-project totals rose substantially following additional vetting with contractors: “They went from about 1,500,000 to 2,400,000.”

Commissioner Craig Parks objected to the timing of those revised numbers. “I was just taken aback that numbers are changed after information is shared in a public meeting,” he said and moved to disqualify the AT Vaughn proposal; that motion received no second and did not carry.

Legal counsel Rob advised the commission about statutory limits on post‑submission changes and fairness to bidders, explaining that the commission must provide the same opportunity to all participants if it permits amended proposals. He summarized the governing law by saying the statute “describes the sale or lease of property” and outlining factors the commission must consider — including proposed improvements, the bidder’s ability to perform, and whether the proposal furthers the redevelopment plan.

Commissioners voted 3–2 earlier in the meeting to permit the commission to consider bids below the original asking price of $497,500. After further discussion, Commissioner Craig Parks moved to accept the Dunamis proposal, citing its overall investment in the downtown and the team’s record; his motion was seconded. During the roll call on the award, Craig Parks, Dr. Bob Taylor and Corey Coop voted aye; Robertson and Campbell voted no. The commission then instructed staff to proceed to finalize a project agreement with the selected developer.

Commissioners emphasized that the project agreement will include specific investment and schedule requirements, including clawback language and defined construction schedules. Commissioner Parks said his motion was “contingent on the agreement having clawback language” and staff and legal counsel confirmed the agreement will spell out remedies and schedules.

Ben also told the commission that a separate speculative build‑operate‑transfer (BOT) project on State Road 32 (near the B Foroo/KFC area) is overdue and that he will provide an update at the commission’s next meeting. Commissioners requested timely written status updates so they can answer community questions and monitor developer performance.

Votes at a glance - Motion to retain the current 2025 officer slate (Corey Coop as president, Craig Parks as vice president, Dr. Bob Taylor as secretary): motion carried (unanimous; recorded as 5–0). Motion and second not specified in the record; vote indicated by voice. - Motion to allow the commission to consider bids below the original asking price of $497,500: motion carried, 3–2. - Motion to award the bid for 124–126 North Lebanon Street to the Dunamis group (total capital investment represented as $1,898,000 in the original submission; Dunamis later provided revised higher totals in follow-up communications): motion carried, roll call 3–2 (Craig Parks — Aye; Dr. Bob Taylor — Aye; Corey Coop — Aye; Robertson — No; Campbell — No). The award is contingent on a project agreement with performance, schedule and clawback provisions. - Motion to pay final claims for the year: motion carried (voice vote; recorded as carried).

Why it matters: The award advances a long‑running downtown redevelopment effort that commissioners described as an 18‑month process. Commissioners flagged a deadline attached to a grant already under contract for work on the property — Ben said “the deadline to spend that money is December 2025” — and expressed concern that extended delays or inadequate contracting could jeopardize grant funding or leave the building unoccupied. The project agreement and its enforcement terms will determine whether the awarded investment translates into completed downtown improvements.

What’s next: Staff will work with the Dunamis group and legal counsel to finalize a project agreement that includes investment schedules and clawback language. Ben will report back on the BOT project on SR‑32 at the commission’s next meeting.