Aug. 9, 2018

A plan to redevelop the Huey Apartments will need to be revisited following a City Council vote.

The council voted 4-4 Tuesday on a proposal to declare city-owned property behind the downtown building as surplus.

Mayor Paul TenHaken wasn’t at the meeting to break the tie, so the resolution automatically did not pass.

Developers have a contract to purchase the building on Phillips Avenue early next year and have said their plan to turn it into a mix of loft apartments, and restaurant and event space isn’t financially viable without being able to use the additional property.

Josh Aberson of Green Acre Real Estate said he would comment when next steps were established.

The neighboring property owners and tenants to the north on Phillips, Equity Square, opposed declaring the property surplus.

At issue is access, which the city said would be maintained through a perpetual easement. The opponents argued that for the city to declare the property as surplus it needs to be no longer necessary, useful or suitable for the purpose for which it was acquired.

The issue could come before the council again if the surplus proposal changes or a council member who opposed it made a motion to reconsider.

Developers plan major renovation, expansion of downtown Huey building