Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Council members warn Cox Powell Building poses safety, financial risk as developer misses deadlines
Summary
Councilors pressed city staff and the building’s developer over safety concerns after two fires at the Cox Powell Building, with several members urging termination of the lease and demolition if repairs do not proceed. Council discussed insurance, historic tax credits and a $500,000 city grant tied to redevelopment.
Council members sharply questioned the status of repairs and redevelopment for the Cox Powell Building, saying the city faces safety risks and possible financial liabilities after two fires and limited developer responsiveness.
The discussion centered on whether the city should terminate the lease with the current developer and demolish the building if redevelopment does not proceed. Councilor Harris urged immediate action, saying the structure “could fall at any time” and recommending termination of the lease and demolition if necessary.
The matter matters because the building sits in downtown and councilors said public safety and potential liability are immediate concerns. Council members also discussed past city investments in the project, including a $500,000 grant or purchase-order set aside for redevelopment, and questioned whether those funds — and any contributions from a foundation or the county — would need to be…
Already have an account? Log in
Subscribe to keep reading
Unlock the rest of this article — and every article on Citizen Portal.
- Unlimited articles
- AI-powered breakdowns of topics, speakers, decisions, and budgets
- Instant alerts when your location has a new meeting
- Follow topics and more locations
- 1,000 AI Insights / month, plus AI Chat
