IC Commission explores options for city-owned properties

Adhoc committee slated to make recommendation

 

IMLAY CITY — The Imlay City Commission was scheduled to meet Tuesday night (January 7). Among topics on the agenda was further discussion on the fate of the three city-owned properties along E. Third St.

City officials have been wrestling with the issue for months, if not years, on what to do with the old fire hall, a DPW storage building and a third property known as “the old Sign Shop.”

Tens of thousands of dollars has been spent on trying to make the property marketable. Everything from legal counsultations and opinions, surveys, environmental testing by numerous agencies. All over the issue of contaminated soil on the property.

Potential business deals have been lost, for a variety of reasons, including the contamination.

Offers have been made to purchase the property and yet the city continues to hold on to the three sites, and the liability for the contamination.

Newly named Mayor Barbara Yockey formed an Adhoc committee to explore options for the city with a possible decision at the January 7 meeting.

According to unofficial draft minutes from the December 17th commission meeting, Mayor Yockey said in part, “the ad-hoc committee has been meeting to discuss all options and reviewing possibilities to decide what is in the best interest of the City of Imlay City and will report back after the new year.”

Shortly after being seated as Mayor in December, Yockey said she intended to have the issue on the January 7 agenda.

Among the offers for the property are four differernt combinations of offers from Jim Slack, owner of J&J Liquidation. He currently is leasing the old fire hall from the city as part of a five-month agreement.

In his offers, Slack is asking to purchase the two properties, the fire hall and DPW building, while offering to have the Sign Shop demolished. Depending on the combination of offers, Slack has offered up to $150,000 for the properties.

Another offer was one made from the Imlay City Downtown Development Authority, through a newly created subsidary known as IC Holdings.

They have offered $1 with promises to seek grant funding to handle the environmental issues.

DDA member Steve Robbins told the commission at a previous meeting the group, “fully intends to make the properties marketable and flip them.”

DDA Executive Director Christine Malzahn, on behalf of the DDA Board, presented a proposed contract at a December meeting. However, the commission decided to not take any action on the contract.

Instead, they had numerous questions and decided to delay the matter until a further meeting.

In the meantime, Slack has enjoyed good success at his new location in Imlay City, following a devastating fire at his Almont location last year.

Slack said his business in Imlay City has thrived, since making the move, especially at the holiday time.

He also rearranged his stock to make space for vendors taking part in the DDA sponsored Winterfest.

The city was unable to finalize two other offers, including one with Sage Creek Winery that had it been approved, would have seen the popular company bring their Memphis-based business to Imlay City.