For many years, the pink house in the 1200 block of Banks Avenue stood alone amidst parking lots that served downtown businesses.
That was before the county took the property for tax deed, before the city bought it from the county and razed the house.
Next summer, the site will be used to expand parking for the Androy Hotel and Vintage Italian Pizza.
The city's Redevelopment Authority approved the sale and a development agreement with the owners of the two businesses, Aaron Dandrea and David Regner, to expand the parking available to customers of the two businesses.
"Instead of selling it on the open market, because they do have a plan for it, we decided to go through the Redevelopment Authority," said Port and Planning Director Jason Serck.
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The appraised value of the 37½-foot lot where the house stood and city-owned parking lot behind VIP is about $35,000, Serck said. Because of extensive costs for the project, he said the city would grant back about $30,000 of the cost of the land in support of the project.
It's been part of a long-range plan, that includes putting in some dumpster enclosures and a sign, Serck said.
"It fits with some of the things we're trying to do downtown, cleaning up some of these areas and providing additional areas," Serck said.
"This has been a long-standing agenda item for the city," said Mayor Bruce Hagen. "This steps right in to proper timing for other improvements we would like to take after the Tower Avenue reconstruction. All the city-owned lots will be patched, sealed and striped in the summer."
He said one example is the parking lot adjacent to the World of Wheels Skate Center where the city also plans to improve lighting.
Hagen said the goal is to improve other areas that complement Tower Avenue.
