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Rothschild board moves to seek developer or buy back 603 S. Grand Avenue after dispute over price
Summary
The board voted to pursue getting 603 S. Grand Avenue into the hands of a developer or to exercise a $25,000 buyback clause in a 2019 development agreement after the seller disputed the price; Trustee Louella Luedtke abstained from the vote because of a conflict of interest.
The Village of Rothschild board on June 8 agreed to pursue a third‑party developer for 603 S. Grand Avenue or to repurchase the parcel under a buyback clause contained in a 2019 development agreement, following a contentious discussion about the contract’s terms.
Administrator Ryan VanDeWalle told trustees the village spent “thousands of dollars” on environmental remediation for the former gas‑station site before selling the lot at a discounted price to developer Brian Luedtke under a 2019 agreement. The contract, VanDeWalle said, set development standards and included an option allowing the village to repurchase the property for $25,000.
VanDeWalle said the village extended the original development deadline to Dec. 31, 2023, and that Luedtke has maintained the parcel by paying nominal property taxes and performing basic upkeep. VanDeWalle told the board a third‑party developer has expressed interest in the parcel and that staff recently discussed the options with Luedtke.
According to the minutes, Luedtke objected to the $25,000 buyback price and suggested the matter could be tied up in court for up to two years. The board discussed alternatives, including drafting a new agreement with stronger development guarantees or pursuing the contractual buyback. Trustee Jason Jablonski moved and Trustee Deb Ehster seconded a motion directing staff to try to place the property with a developer, consult the village attorney about buyback procedures, and proceed with purchasing the parcel for $25,000 per the original and amended developers agreement.
The motion passed 6-0, with Trustee Louella Luedtke abstaining and stepping away from the table because of a conflict of interest. The board did not record further public details about any negotiations or timelines at the meeting.
