Midtown board and council discuss Saratosh property sale, demolition timing and grant clocks

Midtown Advisory Board members and city officials used the Jan. 15 advisory‑board workshop to update the council on a recent sale of the Saratosh property and to warn residents about timing constraints related to demolition permits and traffic‑impact fee deadlines.

"We all got a nice holiday gift in December with the closing of the sale of the Saratosh property," a Midtown representative said. Council members and city planning staff clarified that pulling a demolition permit can start a county clock (discussed during the workshop as approximately two to three years) that affects funding and impact‑fee calculations for redevelopment.

Jason from Planning and Zoning (staff) and other participants said the property will be rigorously reviewed and that the process is not likely to be quick. City staff also said the property owner has expressed openness to interim measures such as site cleanup or temporary wraps while the longer demolition and redevelopment process proceeds.

Council members suggested outreach to county commissioners to request extensions or exceptions to timing requirements where appropriate; Mayor Sordo said he planned to raise the issue with county officials. No formal council action was taken at the workshop; the item was presented as an informational update and staff indicated they would continue coordination with the owner and county as the permitting and potential grant timelines evolve.