The city owned home at 204 High Street along with two adjacent parcels is officially being offered for redevelopment with a new Request for Proposals (RFP) that was issued earlier this month, seen here. Demolition of the building was looming in 2014 with the announcement of a new market to be built on the same site, which has since been moved one block east to an entirely vacant block. Although the building cannot be considered a save quite yet, the willingness of the city to RFP the redevelopment of the site and the shift of the market are two big steps in the right direction. Thanks to the work of the preservation board, common council, and citizen activists the building is still standing and ready for a new life.
Built circa 1871, the property had a long time use as the personal residence and medical practice of John Meidenbauer. In the late 1930s it was sold to Lyle Morgan, another doctor, who also utilized it for his personal residence and practice. The building was last used in 1979 as a doctor’s office and the city took ownership around 2005 after Morgan’s son was unable to maintain the taxes for the property.
Written inquiries are due by January 29th, the official proposals are due by February 29th, and the ultimate decision on the designated developer will be announced on April 29th. More photos of the property can be seen here.