Lowell council favors local mixed-development plan, rejects offer to sell property to Dollar General

By DEAN REA/Correspondent/The Herald — The Lowell City Council decided Tuesday night to accept an offer to sell city property to a local developer for residential as well as for commercial uses as envisioned in the city’s master plan.

A proposal to build a Dollar General variety store at 205 E. Main St. was rejected in favor of an offer by Lowell Investment Properties representing Jimmy and Mindy Martini, who have owned and operated Bridge Town Market since May 1, 2015.

The $358,000 offer was the city’s asking price, but the city wishes to discuss the Martini development plans further before signing the deal.

Jimmy Martini reminded the council during the public hearing that the downtown master plan developed during 2018-19 envisioned mixing residential and commercial uses for multi-storied buildings. He offered no detailed plans for developing the property.

Several of the 14 people who spoke during the 36-minute public hearing criticized the competition that a Dollar store would create with the Bridge Town Market, where you can shop for groceries, buy a bite to eat and fill up your vehicle with gas.

The Martinis purchased the store from her parents after he left Ray’s Foods as a controller in Medford.

One person remarked during the public hearing that “this is a small town, and we don’t need a big business.”

Another commented; “Lowell is a quaint town, and we want to keep it that way.”

Eighteen people attended the meeting at the Lowell Fire District’s building rather than at the Osgood Library, which was damaged during a break-in.

A Dollar General representative said the company would work with the city in developing the site of a former residence the city acquired in 2015. The house on the property is scheduled to be burned by firefighters during a training exercise.

The Dollar spokesman said the Lowell store would be one of 17,000 in the United States, and he expected stores would be built in Pleasant Hill and Dexter during the next decade.

In other business, the council approved as much as $8,000 for purchase of holiday decorations in and around Rolling Rock Park. Councilor Tim Stratis, who has headed up the project, said decorations will be hung on light poles at the city’s entryway, around the park, on the stage, caboose and a tree. He also said decorations will continue to be placed along Moss Street.

The council approved a fee estimate not to exceed $45,300 for landscape architecture services with Dougherty Landscape Architect for the Rolling Rock Park improvement project.

The men’s restroom at Paul Fisher Park has been closed for the second time this year because of vandalism, reported Max Baker, public works director. A replacement has been ordered.

He also reported that new storm drain inlets have been completed on D Street.

City Administrator Jeremy Caudle reported that utility users have been notified of a town hall meeting to discuss the cost of the library and City Hall project. The meeting will be at the Osgood Library at 6 p.m. Monday, Sept. 27.

Also attending the meeting were Mayor Don Bennett and councilors Gail Harris, John Myers and Maureen Weathers.