City to request proposals for empty Oxmoor Road lot

The finance committee decided at its July 6 meeting to consider new alternatives for the empty lot at the corner of Oxmoor Road and Oak Grove Road.

Since December, residents Sonya DiCarlo and Paula Harris had proposed plans to build The Grove, a two-story retail, dining and event space, on the lot. They originally wanted to buy the property for $50,000 but increased their offer to $135,000, the amount the city originally paid.

However, committee members said Monday that they had received interest from other parties and wanted to make sure that they are approving the best idea for the property. The committee decided to send out a request for proposals.

The RFP will be put out on August 1 and all responses must be in by August 31. The council will then evaluate the responses and select finalists to give visual presentations by Sept. 14. A contract will be finalized with the chosen developer by Sept. 28 and will be awarded at the Oct. 12 council meeting.

The council did not set a minimum purchase amount for proposals, but will retain the right to buy back the property for 60 percent of the purchase price if the development does not move forward within a reasonable time frame.