City council otes on three downtown revitalization projects tonight

Hotel-Motel grant awards also on agenda

At its second meeting of September, the City Council of Webster City will vote on downtown projects it has discussed over the last year.

The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the council chambers of the Webster City City Hall. This is located at 400 Second St.

Thaw projects include roof and wall repairs to 707 Second St., known as the Lotus Building, and purchase of 518 and 520 Second St., both owned by Chris McNeil. Staff will also ask the council to budget funds to demolish four buildings downtown; the two McNeil buildings, as well as 547 Second St., the former Coulter's Drapery Shop, and 545 Second St. formerly Kelly's Bar & Grill.

The city recently bought 707 Second St. from Lotus Community Project of Vincent, with plans to stabilize it, and make it feasible for private interests to buy and make it home to a business. The relatively low cost of repairs, a few dollars short of $166,000, make the project an affordable investment in the future of downtown, according to City Manager John Harrenstein.

The city staff proposes awarding a contract to Grell Roofing, Ft. Dodge for $74,620, and another to Vinton Tuckpointing of Vinton, for $91,367 to replace the roof and stabilize the building's eastern brick wall.

Separately, Council will debate whether to buy two brick buildings owned by Chris McNeil, an electrical and plumbing contractor. The structures, 518 and 520 Second St., have been barricaded since spring, 2025. McNeil has worked to stabilize the buildings, doing some of the work himself, and hiring the rest. Despite his efforts, an engineering report says the building's north wall is leaning, and is dangerous; suggesting no amount of restoration can make it safe.

A third agenda item asks Council for permission to go out for bids to demolish four brick buildings downtown: the former Coulter's and Kelly's buildings, and both of McNeil's.

All four have been barricaded by city order the last two years. The work requires a contractor able to safely demolish the buildings, while protecting businesses sharing common walls, including Ace Hardware and Dawson & Bertran Investment Advisors.

Work on the roof at 707 Second St. is planned for this fall; brick repair next spring.

The Hotel Motel Tax Board will present its recommendations for the 2026 awards to the City Council also tonight. There were three grant requests in 2026; restocking Briggs Woods Lake with walleye for the next two seasons; funding phase two marketing at Kendall Young Library, and providing funds for directional signs and window coverings at Wilson Brewer Park.

Andy Sowle is Chair of the Hotel Motel Tax Board. Members include Ashley Allers, Linda Conaway and Jamie Seiser. This is the 15th year the board has granted money to support local projects that increase tourism or enhance quality of life in Webster City.