Council Committee Slows Down South Cherry Street Proposal

Vol. III, No. 154 - Finance Committee has a one hour meeting on a downtown duplex

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On Monday, the City Council’s Finance Committee recently shined a spotlight on a dilapidated property in Downtown Troy. On paper, the meeting seemed about about a simple land deal, but the hour long discussion turned into a much bigger debate over how Troy’s leaders should handle downtown properties that are falling apart. In fact, Finance Committee Chairman Todd Severt began the meeting talking about the confusion around the issue; confusion that centered around the city staff’s determination of whatshould happen to the property.

City staff had suggested using money from a previous land sale to buy the rundown building at 19 South Cherry Street through the Community Improvement Corporation, known as the CIC. This was pitched as a chance to clean up a property that’s been a property maitenance headache for Troy for years. The building’s owner, who lives in California, hasn’t kept up with basic repairs and faces criminal and civil litigation for ignoring city ordinances. Finally ready to sell and eager to settle his problems, the owner set the price at a discount, dropping from the appraised value to $123,000 in hopes of ending ongoing legal troubles.

This plan, at first glance, seemed straightforward. City staff believed the CIC could take over the property and, based on their only listed solution, tear down the building and turn the land into green space. But the suggestion to simply demolish the duplex sparked worry among both council members and residents. Many saw demolition as an absolute last resort that could leave a permanent gap in Troy’s downtown. People pointed out that the area is lined with historic buildings and reminded the committee about past fights to preserve downtown structures. An older MKSK study was brought up, showing Troy’s real need for more housing units downtown. With all this in mind, some in the community urged city leaders to slow down and show restraint. Demolition should be a measure of last resort, not the only option discussed.

As the discussion around the building continued, the seriousness of its problems became clear. The structure is reported to have a leaning foundation, deep cracks, and damaged window frames. Both the public and the council members warned that buying the property without a thorough check could create a money pit for taxpayers, ending with a costly grass lot stuck downtown. Because the city does not own it yet, no one has been able to inspect the interior, so the true condition—and cost to fix it—remains a mystery.

Faced with so many unanswered questions, the Finance Committee made a careful choice. Instead of rushing into a purchase and risking an expensive demolition and no clear plan for reuse, they requested the City Law Director to write specific protections into the agreement. Basically, the council is looking to gain access to the property before spending any taxpayer money, so they have a better idea of the condition of the property. The committee agreed that the CIC would have to report its findings to the full Council before deciding on next steps.

If the CIC discovers the building cannot be saved, the Council indicated that they have a desire for a public discussion before asking the Planning Commission for permission to demolish. That process is important because it keeps decision-making in the hands of elected officials, protecting Troy’s pocketbook and ensuring the public’s voice is heard. The committee’s action made it clear that tough decisions about downtown need transparency, patience, and careful stewardship.

Throughout this process, Troy’s Finance Committee showed strong leadership by slowing things down and demanding due diligence. By not rubber-stamping the deal (that often happens at the committee level), the committe kept city staff accountable and sent a message that every property decision—especially those with deep costs and impacts on our downtown—deserves a closer look. This approach supports wise investments and fair debate, setting an example for how local government can work for the community and the common good.

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