For the past couple of weeks, we have been reporting on certain topics that were being discussed in closed sessions during Two Rivers City Meetings.
Those topics included what is happening with the former Hamilton property. SeehaferNews.com spoke with T.R. City Manager Greg Buckley to see what exactly is going on.
He explained that the City has been in contact with Fischer Scientific, the parent company of Hamilton, about the property for the past couple of years, but the talks really picked up again in November.
He explained that “The City has made an offer to acquire the site, and we are hoping yet this week to see a written response from the company.”
If the offer were to go through, Buckley says that the goal of the city is to redevelop the property.
He advised, “We think there is great opportunity there for the public to enjoy access to a piece of waterfront that, for years, was walled off by industry.”
Another topic that was consistently coming up in the closed session section of City agendas was an outstanding loan with Windella and Anchors Away LLCs.
The City Manager said that “There is a proposed sale of that property”, referring to the former Bank First National building that was redeveloped by Michael and Rebecca Schwartz into a restaurant.
The business closed last summer.
As for the most recent action taken, Buckley explained that the City Council met last Monday and decided they were “Not persuing a collection action on the TIF grant that assisted the project.”
The TIF grant was used to help fund the redevelopment cost of the project.
Buckley said that the couple spent “not only as much as the development agreement called for, but more.”
Buckley said that the city would be well within their rights to force payment from the Schwartz’s, but since there is a good chance the property will become another restaurant, they decided against it.
