Vinton City work session opts to market courthouse lots for six months, pursue park plan if unsold

Vinton City officials and downtown stakeholders discussed competing visions for two vacant courthouse-front lots during a work session, agreeing to a two-step approach: put the properties on the market for six months and, if they do not sell, request design proposals to convert the space into a pocket park.

A presenter who said they had discussed ideas with county and local partners outlined a multipurpose concept that could host pickleball and basketball, food trucks, live music and even seasonal skating, and that the Rex Center could use the surface for programming. “Something the Rex Center could host like pickle ball tournaments, basketball tournaments… food trucks could pull in, live music can pull in,” the presenter said, describing the kinds of uses envisioned.

Supporters framed the proposal as a way to activate downtown quickly and attract foot traffic, while other council members warned that creating a permanent park could tie up developable land and reduce the appeal to prospective businesses. One council member said they preferred using the space for parking to preserve future development options and questioned city cooperation with the county on adjoining parcels.

Participants proposed a practical sequence of next steps: advertise the two lots for sale for six months; if there are no viable offers, prepare an RFP for a design-and-build contract for a park. Speakers suggested including caveats in any sale that require a buyer to construct on the lot within an estimated 18 months. In the interim, stakeholders indicated the city’s street department could provide light clean-up and temporary fixtures — picnic tables, umbrellas and hanging baskets — to test public interest.

Legal and property questions remain unresolved. Participants asked the city attorney (referenced in the session) to research whether a neighboring building’s wall effectively conveys ownership or easement rights that would affect a proposed staircase or other encroachments. The group emphasized that any easement would likely be perpetual and urged caution when negotiating with adjacent property owners.

There was no formal ordinance or vote at the work session; the group presented the advertising-then-RFP path as the recommended next step and asked staff to implement it. City staff confirmed the street department currently maintains the lots and can handle interim clean-up and short-term activations.

If the council follows the proposed plan, the city would advertise the lots for six months and return with results; if no buyers emerge, staff would prepare an RFP for design and construction of a park. The work session concluded with participants acknowledging that the decision will be revisited once advertising results are known and with a reminder that fundraising, design costs and permanent-restroom decisions remain outstanding.