Eureka Board of Aldermen members have agreed to sell a small, city-owned parcel to Old Town Automotive, allowing the repair shop to expand its parking lot while continuing to give the city access to the new floodwall.
Matthew S. Nahlik, owner of Old Town Automotive, will pay the city $55,535 for the property at 219 S. South Virginia Ave., which is next to his existing shop at 212 S. Virginia Ave.
City attorney Kathy Butler said the board voted unanimously Dec. 16 to approve the sale. The revenue from the sale will go into the city’s general revenue fund, she said.
“(Old Town Automotive) is going to put a parking lot for their business there, and then we’re going to use that as the access to maintain the floodwall pumps and everything,” Butler said. “It’s kind of a win-win for everybody.”
The floodwall spans from Hwy. 109 to west of Bald Hill Road along Flat Creek. The flood protection system includes an earthen wall, several gates and a pump station visible from South Central Avenue.
According to city documents, Eureka officials will seek bids and the city will pay for the paving and marking of the new lot. However, Old Town Automotive is expected to reimburse the city for the improvements before the deal closes. The repair shop is expected to install a gate and fence on the new lot at its own expense.
“Because they work on cars, (Old Town Automotive) is going to have a gated lot where they can put the cars at night, sort of give a little security for customer cars,” Butler said.
Once the lot is paved, the fence is installed and the sale is completed, city officials will receive a key to the gate, giving the city access to the parking lot for future maintenance of the floodwall.
Old Town Automotive is expected to maintain the parking lot and fence going forward, according to city documents.