Columbia City Council authorized the city manager to execute a purchase and sale agreement for the Washington Square Office Building, the Washington Plaza Parking Garage and adjacent retail to Kessler Enterprise Inc., a commercial developer, drawing public questions about the procurement and financial terms.

The sale (agenda item 31) passed on a roll call vote with councilmembers expressing that the city used a solicitation of proposals led by a broker to pursue the property’s highest and best long‑term use rather than a sealed‑bid procurement. At least one public commenter, Rick Patel, a downtown hotel owner who earlier said he submitted interest, told the council “I bid at $5,000,000 for the project” and said the city proposed selling the property for $2,900,000 and providing the buyer $400,000. Patel said that combination “is not right for the taxpayers of City Columbia.”

Mayor Rickman and staff responded in public questions after the vote, explaining the city considered multiple letters of interest and that the $400,000 described in the sale terms is a tenant upfit allowance to support redevelopment and not a separate, unconditional cash payment to the buyer. City officials said multiple developers submitted letters and that the selected partner’s proposal included a broader redevelopment plan with retail, hospitality and cultural amenities the city sought. Staff emphasized that the solicitation was meant to advance “highest and best use” for the corridor and said the Kessler group has a national development track record.

Council recorded aye votes for the sale (Bailey Aye; Brown Aye; Brennan Yes; McDowell Yes; Mayor Rickman Aye; Dr. Aditi Bustles Aye). City staff said they will finalize closing documents and partner agreements as the developer prepares project plans and necessary redevelopment work.

Next steps: staff will complete closing, begin coordination with the purchaser on tenant upfits and redevelopment milestones and provide public materials explaining the solicitation process and project plans.