On Monday, Mayor Michael Tooley shared news with the public of a meeting with developers from At the Docks, a business venture owned by Chris Frary.

At the Docks was included in an RFP sale of 17 Main Street in 2022. The parcel was divided into parcels A and B.

Under the agreement parcel A was sold to Billy Hosmer for $10,000 for his River Street Brewing Company venture. Although the purchase moved forward, Hosmer found an alternate location and as included in the RFP contract, Hosmer is now selling the property back to the city for the same price.

Tooley said Monday that the reacquisition of the property was moving forward.

Complicating matters is an interest from entrepreneur Nick Wright, who recently shared plans to build a mini-golf and family fun center at the 17 Main Street property.

He had hoped to purchase both parcel A and parcel B.

However, due to the existing RFP the city intends to move forward with the sale of parcel B to At the Docks. The company plans to erect a storage facility for docks and it is part of a larger development plan by the company which has also indicated potential refurbishment of the former Ramada Inn.

However since parcel B was never purchased by At the Docks the city is now working with the company regarding the stipulations of the sale.

Although details are still being worked out, Tooley said he would like to see the sale take place by May 31 with construction to begin within two years from the sale date.

The sale of the property complicates matters for Wright, who had hoped to purchase both properties.

Wright said he has hired attorney Andrew Silver to assist with the acquisition of parcel A, which the city is working to reacquire. He says he can still move forward with his plan with parcel A, but fears parking could be an issue.

Wright has stated on multiple occasions that time is a major consideration as well.

Unfortunately the city is sorting out what it can legally do. Although the majority of council expressed interest in a swift and direct sale of parcel A to Wright, they are still sorting out some legal questions.

Although the city can sell properties once they've gone to public auction process, there are questions if the property will need to go to auction again since the city is reacquiring it from Hosmer.

An executive session was held following the meeting Monday, but the city has not yet shared what will occur.

Deputy Mayor Dan Skamperle expressed multiple times that he wanted to see both projects move forward. He sought to reassure At The Docks and Wright that the city would do everything within its power to expedite the process.

Tooley agreed, but with the caveat that the city should likely put the property up for auction due to the fact that other parties have expressed interest. However, before weighing in fully on the matter he wanted to hear from the city attorney.

No formal action was taken on any of the matters.