The Zoning, Neighborhoods and Development Committee recommended adoption of land-disposition reports for three city-owned tax-deed properties at its Jan. 13 meeting.

Item 1: 3743 North 35th Street
Rosita Ross of the Department of City Development presented a proposal to sell a vacant 7,000+-square-foot lot at 3743 North 35th Street to Kenyatta Hendricks, the owner of the adjacent commercial building, who told the committee she would use the parcel for customer parking and expansion of her staging and interior-design business. Ross said the lot is shared in part with a neighboring church and that Hendricks will pay $1,000. Alderman Jackson said the sale would "clean up the books" by putting the parcel in local ownership; Jackson moved recommendation of adoption and the chair reported no objections.

Item 2: 1246 West Atkinson Avenue
Dwayne Edwards (Department of City Development) presented a proposed sale of a mixed-use building at 1246 West Atkinson Ave. to Anthony Avery. Avery described plans to refurbish the building, operate a tool-rental business and potentially add small retail uses that would serve older residents in the neighborhood. Alderman Stanford moved approval and the committee recommended adoption.

Item 3: 1606 West Walnut Street
DCD staff presented a sale to Ditra Rogers and her husband (buyers) who proposed a Crumble Cookies franchise as part of a neighborhood 'food hub.' Rogers said the franchise is not yet finalized but that the pair were in active discussions and intended to pursue community outreach through the Johnson's Park Community Association. Aldermen applauded the local-business focus; Alderman Stanford moved for approval and the committee recommended adoption.

The committee took no roll-call votes on these recommendations during the meeting; each item was moved to recommend adoption and advanced by the chair where "hearing no objection" was recorded.

What’s next: Each recommended sale will proceed to the next formal adoption steps required by city policy and the Common Council.