URA Votes To Proceed With Tony’s Building Purchase

Following some at times spirited discussion The Dalles City Council, acting in its capacity as the Columbia Gateway Urban Renewal Agency Board, voted to authorize moving ahead with purchase of the former Tony’s Town and Country Building.  That purchase will involve the agency paying $450,000 for the building and working with Tokola Development of Gresham as that company puts together a mixed use development with both retail space and apartments.  Councilors Dan Spatz and Russ Brown both were vocal with their hesitance to move forward, with Spatz wanting more details in writing about how the development will take place, and Brown expressing his concern about the fiscal health of the agency itself.  But Mayor Steve Lawrence led the arguments in favor of the purchase, noting the option the agency holds on the property ends March 1, and adding Tokola has a track record of making these projects a reality and was eager to move forward.  In the end the vote was 5-1 to proceed, with Spatz the only no vote.  Lawrence says Tokola wants 15 percent public involvement in the estimated ten million dollar project.

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