Commission approves agreement with J&J

Liquidation business to locate in old Imlay City fire hall

 

IMLAY CITY — Following lengthy discussion that at times turned spirited, the Imlay City Commission has come to an agreement with Jim Slack, owner of J&J Liquidation, inking a five-month lease of a city-owned property

The building, that previously housed the fire department, is one of three buildings the city owns on E. Third St.

According to the agreement, the city will collect $12,500 for the lease. Slack intends to move merchandise into the building some time next month.

Slack has said while he sought the five-month agreement, if the arrangement works out, he might possibly be interested in purchasing the building.

The agreement didn’t come without objections, mainly from the Imlay City DDA Director Christine Malzahn.

“The DDA has spent money to fix up that building and plans are underway to use that for WinterFest. I don’t mind this taking effect December 8 (the day after the WinterFest) but for us, it would require adjusting plans.”

Malzahn said 19 vendors have returned contracts for their place at the vendor market. “Many that I have spoken with said they would not take part in the event if the old fire hall building was not available,” she claimed.

While considering the former DPW building, to the south of the old fire hall, commission members also said possibly city hall or the Lamb Steele building might work for WinterFest.

“Space is the issue,” Malzahn explained. “Lamb Steele is too small of a spot and the same with city hall. We’re limited to what we could do. It’s not ideal to be spread out over multiple locations.”

She then stated, “If the fire hall is not available, maybe we just go back to how it used to be and have the tree lighting and parade and not have the daytime activities.”

Slack said he was more than willing to work with city officials on resolving the space issue.

“I could move inventory to the back half of the hall, if that helps them (DDA). If I had to wait until December 8, that doesn’t work for me. I would probably just stay out of business until spring and then move back to M-53.”

Malzahn suggested to the commission that if approved, the $12,500 paid to the city would be used for the E. Third St property improvements, not just be put in the city’s general fund.

Mayor Pro-Tem Ted Sadler said, “the concept of city government being in business, I’m not a fan of that.”

Mayor Joi Kempf urged both sides to work together, along with the city, to make something happen that works for everyone.

Alternative sites, including using empty storefronts to bring people to the downtown district, were all shot down by Malzahn for a variety of reasons.

Finally, on a unanimous vote, the commission agreed to the five-month lease as presented. Slack and Malzahn agreed to work with city officials on finalizing a plan that would accommodate both parties.

In other commission news, the board appointed John Genrod and Barbara Yockey to four-year terms on the DDA board, approved a parade permit for the annual Borland and Weston walking parade and the permit for WinterFest.

The board also set the hours for Trick-or-Treat to be held from 6 to 8 p.m., beginning and ending with the sounding of the fire whistle.