City council lists 71-73 West Chicago for sale, fails to act on Wingard offer
COLDWATER — The Coldwater City Council took no action Monday night on a $10,000 offer from developer Jennifer Wingard to purchase 71-73 West Chicago St. to convert the property into six apartments and an event center.
The council told staff to go forward with a realtor for a six-month multiple listing to seek other offers.
Council members wanted to recoup at least its $20,000 asbestos clean-up cost from the gifted buildings.
Wingard developed three buildings to the east into apartments and retail on the ground floors, spending $6 million. The Downtown Development Authority deeded the Kerr Hardware buildings to her in April 2014.
After she left the meeting where the council did not act on her offer, Wingard said, “They said a lot of nice things, but I feel insulted.” She said she would need to consider whether to continue pursuing the project.
Prior story City takes lower redevelopment offer for 71-73 W. Chicago St.
This summer, Chad Marsh abandoned the development of the two buildings into an entertainment bar and restaurant with upstairs apartments. The city approved a $20,000 contingent sale to him in June 2022.
With partner Penny Beemer, Wingard said, “I think we can do it for $1 million. It requires a lot of steel. When we do a building, we do it to last another 100 years, not another 10 years.”
City Manager Keith Baker said, “The structure will require substantial additional rehabilitation” over the minor repairs the city made when the Richard A. Kerr family donated the two-story commercial attached buildings in 2018. Baker said the donation was a tax write-off.
Wingard said she wanted to improve the view of those coming into downtown from the west. “Instead of seeing the side of an old yellow building, what you see is an event space with lots of glass and people using it to celebrate birthdays and weddings and showers.”
The developer planned two Airbnb rentals on the ground floor in back. “Upstairs will have balconies with French doors looking out onto the open space which the city has wisely maintained instead of selling," she said.
Councilman Jim Knaack said that he hoped for more retail to draw people downtown.
Councilman John Petzko said he wanted to recoup the city investment, at least.
Councilman Randall Hazelbaker said he wanted to accept the offer. “I am willing to take the $10,000 if she turns it into something within a year," he said.
Mayor Tom Kramer said, “There is nobody that would do a better project. But at what price is the taxpayer is going to supplement a private endeavor. Do we have an obligation to the taxpayers? I don’t know.”
Councilwoman Emily Rissman said the city needs a development agreement with whoever buys the building.
Kramer said the city wanted to ensure someone didn’t buy the buildings for a low price and then turn around and resell them.
No one seconded motions on Wingard’s offer.
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The city attorney will move forward with the city manager on a six-month realtor listing but exclude Wingard from the contract from any commission paid on a sale should there be a future deal.
--Contact Don Reid: dReid@Gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Coldwater Daily Reporter: City council lists 71-73 West Chicago for sale, fails to act on Wingard offer
