The City of Washington is moving forward with a redevelopment agreement at the former Linda Lou’s/Red Bear Day Care property.

The Washington City Council held a public hearing for an agreement with Pam Panm, LLC, in which the developer would purchase the property located at 123 East 2nd Street for $75,000 to construct an approximate 8,000 square foot office building, and in return the city shall demolish the current structure no later than December 31st of this year. Mayor Jaron Rosien commented on Main Street Washington’s involvement with this project, “Sarah [Grunewaldt]’s not here with us now but some other exciting community partnerships include the Main Street district, Main Street Design assistance, a system with information on potential Brownfield credits, so there are a few different things working at the same time in effort for a really good project.”

The city is looking to receive Brownfield or Grayfield tax credits from the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the redevelopment. The agreement states that if the current structure contains asbestos, the city can convey the property to Main Street Washington to receive a state funding match for the asbestos to be removed and the structure be demolished. The council approved the agreement unanimously. If the developer is default of the agreement they must pay the city within 30 days of demand the cost the city paid to mitigate any asbestos or lead paint in the original structure, demolish the structure and concrete.