SIOUX CITY — The Sioux City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve a resolution authorizing a master lease for the Badgerow Building.
The city is expected to close on the building Tuesday, according to Economic Development Director Marty Dougherty.
The council approved a resolution in October for the city to purchase the 12-story structure for $750,000 from Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust Company so that it can be used for the continued redevelopment of downtown. Then, in November, the council unanimously approved a resolution adopting an amendment to the Combined Central Sioux City — CBD Urban Renewal Area Plan in connection with the project, which will receive no more than $1 million in TIF funds.
Dougherty
Before the vote, Sioux City Mayor Bob Scott asked Dougherty if four or five developers are still interested in the property.
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“We still have strong interest,” Dougherty told Scott.
City Manager Bob Padmore said a consulting services agreement with Chicago-based Hunden Strategic Partners (HSP) will come back for council approval. The council deferred a vote on the agreement with HSP for the second time in early December, citing a lack of information about HSP’s experience with projects that involve historic tax credits. At that time, city staff were proposing that the city enter into a contract, which would not exceed the price of $60,000 plus expenses, with HSP to assist with the process of selecting a developer for the project.
Scott
“It bothers me that we knew that we had title insurance, that we knew we had this thing coming down the pipe — we should’ve already had the agreement ready to go,” Scott said. “Citizens are concerned, and rightfully so. … The way you minimize that fear in this community is get that agreement out as quick as you can, get this thing awarded and get it reconstructed.”
Cedar Rapids Bank and Trust purchased the Badgerow for $1 million at a November 2018 auction after it submitted the only bid. The bank had foreclosed on the building the previous year after the owner, California-based Mako One and its managing partner, Bruce DeBolt, defaulted on a bond that was secured to pay to renovate and redevelop it.
Dougherty previously told the Journal that most of the interested developers are looking to renovate the Badgerow into market-rate housing and/or commercial space.
“I think everyone’s excited about the project,” Councilman Alex Watters said.
Photos: Lower Fourth Street through the 20th century
Lower Fourth Street
The Lee Block, constructed in 1911 as a multi-use commercial building, was home to billiard halls, saloons, drug stores, furniture dealers, clothing shops and hardware stores. Notable occupants included the O.P. Skaggs grocery store (1931-1951), the Scandinavian Bakery (1933-1973) and Cooper’s Market (1955-1992).
Lower Fourth Street
The Chelsea Theatre was located on Fourth Street in downtown Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
People’s Department Store on Fourth Street in Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
The Chelsea Theatre was located on Fourth Street in downtown Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
Sioux City Barber College and Del-Mar Grill on Fourth Street in Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
The Pink Pussy Cat was located at 901 Fourth St. in Sioux City. It closed in 1982 and this area of town was torn down in the mid-1980s to make way for the Sioux City Convention Center.
Lower Fourth Street
People’s Department Store operated on the northwest corner of Court and Fourth streets from 1937 to 1994.
Lower Fourth Street
Lower Fourth Street businesses included Albert’s Shoe Repair and Oby’s.
Lower Fourth Street
Lower Fourth Street businesses included A. Anderson & Sons Upholstering and K’s Club.
Lower Fourth Street
Aalfs Manufacturing has occupied the Boston Block on Historic Fourth Street since 1929.
Harbor Inn
A photograph of the Harbor Inn on Fourth Street in Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
The Lexington Block building was originally occupied by the Dow Clothing Company (1891-95). Notable future occupants included a print shop (1895-97), the Henry A. Baker Company clothes manufacturing firm (1897-1916) and Max R. Mushkin’s clothing store (1917-28). Later, Zimmerman Furniture Company (1933-51) occupied the western half of the building while the Monarch Billiard Parlor (1934-56) operated the eastern half. The Sioux City Gospel Mission then owned the building until it was razed in 1987 to make way for the Sioux City Convention Center.
Lower Fourth Street
Dailey Antiques was located on Fourth Street in Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
Palm Tap and 4th St. Furniture on Fourth Street in Sioux City.
Lower Fourth Street
The Econ Optical and Hardware Hank stores are shown in this photo of the Call Terminal Building, which was renamed in 1930 after it was purchased by local financier and real estate developer George C. Call.
Lower Fourth Street
Sioux City businessman Fred T. Evans constructed the building that bears his name in 1890. In 1919 the building became a hotel and it functioned in that capacity until 1954. The building housed Robe’s Furniture and a motorcycle club until 2006 when it was renovated for the Heidman Law Firm.
Lower Fourth Street
The Major Block was built in 1889 and has been occupied by tenants including a hardware store and a hotel. During the early 1890s it served as the University of the Northwest’s (later Morningside College) College of Commerce. Currently the 21st Amendment and Francis Canteen are businesses in these buildings at the south side of Fourth Street near the intersection of Virginia Street.
Lower Fourth Street
This Romanesque building was constructed around 1895, but it is unclear who was its architect or builder. The building’s most notable occupant was People’s Department Store, which operated here from 1937 to 1994.
Lower Fourth Street
Lower Fourth Street businesses included The Harbor Inn, Chicago House and The Gospel Mission.