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Council introduces purchase steps for Fidelity building amid questions over cost and funding
Summary
Council introduced an amendment adding a down-payment line for a proposed purchase of the Fidelity/Times‑Tribune property (334–336 N. Washington Ave.) and related resolutions; members asked for appraisals, renovation and operating cost estimates and raised concerns about use of ARPA funds and possible conflicts tied to campaign donations.
Council members introduced a capital-budget amendment and a companion resolution authorizing purchase steps for the Fidelity/Times‑Tribune building at 334–336 North Washington Avenue, but several members said they lacked essential financial details and signaled opposition.
The administration asked that item 5e (an amendment adding a down-payment to the 2025 capital budget) and item 5i (authorizing execution of documents to purchase portions of the property) be introduced into committee; both were introduced by voice vote. Councilmembers asked for an appraisal, recent county assessment, renovation estimates and projected operating costs, and questioned how much tax revenue would be lost if the city removed the building from the tax rolls.
"What are the renovation projects...utilities and operating costs?" asked Councilmember Shuster. Another member said ARPA funds already had been allocated and warned the city could be left holding debt if the purchase and renovations approach $5 million. "I won't be part of that," one councilmember said, citing campaign donations from Fidelity board members as a conflict concern.
Supporters said the building could improve accessibility (ADA) and provide a presence downtown (some councilmembers noted potential benefits of occupancy by Fidelity employees), but no final purchase or appropriation vote occurred at the meeting. The item was introduced into the proper committee for further study and the council requested detailed fiscal information before any decision.
