COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – The Coldwater City Council approved a request by the city on a 8-1 vote Monday night to make a $75,000 offer to buy property at 295 South Clay in order to make improvements at the intersection of South Clay and Division Street.
The city wants to buy just under four-tenths of an acre from Steven Olmstead, through Decathlon Investments, LLC.
City Manager Keith Baker says the city wants to realign the intersection to improve traffic safety and demolish or renovate the existing building which used to be a service station in order to remove blight at the south entrance to the community.
Mayor Tom Kramer tried to address some of the concerns that have been raised.
Council member Jim Knaack had questions about the future plans.
Baker says the building most recently was used for storage as there is no sanitary sewer available at the property. An environmental study as well as asbestos testing will have to be performed to assess possible remediation costs.
Decathlon Investments, LLC bought the property in 2023 for $95,000. Baker says it is the intent of Olmstead to make a gift to the City of about $20,000 by selling it below his purchase price.
The City Council voted 5-1 in favor of the city’s request to buy the property last month but there were not enough votes for the adoption of a resolution as a super majority of six votes were needed. Three Council members were absent due to Spring Break.
Council Member Emily Rissman voted no last month and again on Monday night because she felt the money could be spent on other corridor projects in Coldwater.
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