Currently, the site included auto and motorcycle shops, afuneral home, one house, and several small businesses. Their ownerswould be paid for their properties if the city decides to proceedwith redevelopment, which it voted to do last night. However, thesesmall businesses have expressed concern that it will be difficultfor them to find new and affordable locations if the city useseminent domain to take their properties.

Still, the city remained adamant that the best way to use theproperty is to redevelop the separate parcels as one. The city iscurrently looking for proposals and a master developer, saying thatsome developers have shown interest already. For example, the OlsonGroup has expressed a desire to develop 108 apartment units at thesite.

The city hopes to select a master developer by March and beginconstruction in summer or fall of 2004, arguing that anotherDowntown project in this area will revitalize the neighborhood,bringing more people and business into this underdevelopedarea.