Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Municipal Property topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council declares three city-owned properties surplus to explore divestment; Art Center East indicates interest
Summary
The council declared three city-owned properties surplus—including the old firehouse building that houses Side A Brewing and a museum, and the Art Center East building—to begin market-value assessments and conversations about possible disposition while protecting community uses.
Staff asked council to declare three city-owned properties surplus to municipal needs so staff can evaluate fair-market value and disposition options. The properties include a riverside lot (Tax Lot 301102), the old firehouse building (occupied by a museum and Side A Brewing) and 1006 Penn Avenue, the building currently occupied by Art Center East.
The city manager (speaker 11) said divesting could save the city ongoing insurance and maintenance costs (the old firehouse building costs the city about $15,000 per year), and returning some properties to private ownership could also restore property-tax revenue. He emphasized that surplusing the properties is only the first step and does not obligate a sale; staff said any sale recommendations would return to council for approval with protections for long-standing community tenants where appropriate.
Representatives of Art Center East (speakers 26 and 27) expressed support for conversations that could enable the nonprofit to explore ownership or long-term stewardship while preserving community uses. Council approved declaring the listed properties surplus and directed staff to evaluate options and return with recommendations prior to any final disposition.
