BY CHUCK VANDENBERG
PCC EDITOR
FORT MADISON - City officials are prepared to sign an agreement allowing the Southeast Iowa Regional Planning Commission to administer work on the Cattermole Library and old Lee County Bank building.
City Manager David Varley said at the last city council meeting that he was bringing the agreement for approval so the project could move forward. The city council will meet Tuesday at 5:30 p.m.
Barker Financial Group of Iowa City has taken over the project and Varley said the Iowa Economic Development Authority asked the city to take over as the funding go-between for the project. He also said the IEDA would look favorable on the city contracting with SEIRPC because of the group's experience in dealing with the projects like this.
Varley said work could start as early as May and the Cattermole would be done first as it is close to 75% complete. Then the old Lee County Bank building, both in the Main Street district on Avenue G, would see work next. Rehabbing the Sears building is still up in the air as Barker doesn't think putting upper story units above the Sears store would be a viable option. Officials are hoping to see them rehab the exterior of the building and keep it up to standards of Sears' franchise so that business can stay viable.
The city is also considering an amendment to parking ordinances with regards to a 48-hour parking limit on public roadways, parking citations and parking restrictions for loading and unloading freight among other changes.
In other action, the council:
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