By Cassie Lennox

After months of debate, the city has decided to move forward with purchasing property downtown, but whether it will be used for City Hall – as previously approved – still may be in question.

Common Council Monday, Nov. 20, approved 10-1 purchasing three properties for a future City Hall building on Water Street downtown. Alder Tori Jennings, District 1, was the sole opposition.

The request to purchase the properties has been debated for more than two months, first appearing before Plan Commission Oct. 2. However, Common Council approved building a new City Hall in an unknown location downtown in August.

Jennings has voiced her concerns regarding building on these properties at meetings in the past, since city officials are looking to build City Hall on “non-prime” property but the properties purchased are along the waterfront.

Jennings said the land should be used for development that could bring in taxes.

“This is beautiful waterfront property that we will be using, and I think taking it off the tax roll is a mistake,” she said.

The council also agreed to procure architectural and engineering services related to the construction of these properties for City Hall. The properties identified for purchase are 1466 Water St., 924 Arlington, and an unaddressed property on Water St.

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