Huntingburg City Council approves sale of two Veterans Parkway lots for development

The Huntingburg City Common Council on Oct. 1 approved a resolution authorizing the sale of two city-owned lots on Veterans Parkway for future commercial development. Mayor Neil Elkins said the sale price will be set at no less than the average of two appraisals plus the cost of those appraisals; the amount stated in the meeting was $174,095. The parcels are the two lots immediately west of the Arby’s and are already zoned for restaurant use.

Council discussion noted the purchase agreement includes a $5,000 nonrefundable deposit and a due‑diligence period during which the buyer may conduct soil testing, title review and verify access and driveways. Staff told the council the buyer will be responsible for sewer work; staff estimated sewer installation at roughly $27,000–$28,000 with an approximate three‑year sewer credit of about $11,000, but members said they would confirm final numbers with the buyer.

The council adopted Resolution No. 202526 in a roll‑call vote recorded in the meeting as five yes votes; individual councilmember names were not recorded in the transcript. Mayor Elkins framed the sale as a local economic development action within a designated economic development zone that allows staff to negotiate price under the city’s appraisal‑based policy.

The resolution directs staff to finalize the purchase agreement consistent with the terms discussed and to complete the closing process once conditions in the purchase agreement and due‑diligence period are satisfied. Council members said they expect the property to be developed as a restaurant, though final site plans and permits will require additional approvals from city staff and conform to existing zoning.