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Council OKs option to buy agreement with developer

Former Hamilton Hospital site eyed for housing project by Kansas City group

WEBSTER CITY — A real estate deal that could lead to the construction of 16 duplexes on the site where Hamilton Hospital once stood in Webster City was approved by the City Council Monday.

The council voted 4-1 to approve an option to purchase for WC Partners LLC, of Kansas City, Missouri.

The developer would pay $153,000 for the 6.47 acre site on Ohio Street.

A roughly half-acre spot where the American Legion has a building would be retained by the city. And the slope commonly called Hospital Hill would also remain city property so children can continue to sled down it during the winter.

However, the transaction is not a done deal yet. It is contingent on WC Partners LLC receiving financial assistance from the Iowa Finance Authority.

Mayor John Hawkins and councilmen Matt McKinney, Brian Miller and Logan Welch voted to approve the option to purchase. Councilman Jim Talbot voted no.

After the meeting, Talbot said he objected to the proposal because it is contingent on Iowa Finance Authority approval. He said that means the property is ”tied up” for nine months and cannot be sold to anyone else during that time.

WC Partners LLC is related to Prairie Fire Development Group LLC, of Kansas City, Missouri. The Prairie Fire name appears on documents previously submitted to the council about the transaction.

The developer is proposing to build 16 duplexs, plus a small playground in the southwest corner of the property.

Seven of those duplexes will have three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The remainder will have two bedrooms and one bathroom.

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