Whitewater: CDA authorizes purchase of two parcels in city’s downtown

By Kim McDarison

The Whitewater Community Development Authority (CDA) after meeting Thursday in executive session for approximately 15 minutes, reconvened in open session and announced its decision to authorize the purchase of two parcels of land in the city’s downtown. 

CDA commissioners authorized the purchase of both parcels in an amount not to exceed $150,000. 

The two properties proposed for acquisition include 126 North Jefferson Street and a vacant parcel at 104 East Main Street. 

In addition, the body accepted a letter of intent from Tanis Properties LLC, which, according to the meeting agenda, regarded a “potential mixed-use development on East Main Street/Jefferson Street.” 

Speaking during the CDA’s regularly scheduled meeting, which was held in advance of the closed session, Whitewater City Manager John Weidl said that two representatives from the Whitewater Grocery Co. — a co-op grocery store initiative also known as GroCo — would be invited into the executive session meeting to speak. The individuals would be asked to leave the meeting before CDA commissioners entered into discussion regarding the closed-session agenda items, Weidl said.  

A representative from Tanis Properties also was invited to offer comments during the executive session. 

Additionally, the city’s contracted economic development consultant Kristin Fish-Peterson was asked to remain during the executive session. 

Said Weidl of the GroCo and Tanis Properties representatives: “each of them will speak briefly in closed session and then leave, leaving the CDA and staff alone to discuss the items for potential future action. Once the GroCo has spoken, they all need to move out of closed session. They just have to speak to their intent, and then we can discuss their intent.” 

An earlier story about GroCo and it’s plans to bring a co-op grocery store to Whitewater is here: https://fortatkinsononline.com/whitewater-co-op-grocery-reaches-second-of-three-stage-plan-location-search-underway/. 

Whitewater Municipal Building, file photo/Kim McDarison. 

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