BROOKINGS (9-9-26) — Last week, the City of Brookings announced a mutual termination of the agreement they had with Linchpin Corporation to develop the downtown armory into an upscale hotel, restaurant and event space.
During last night’s City Council meeting, the council took action to officially terminate the agreement. Nick Wendell is Deputy Mayor… “For those that have been following the potential development at the existing armory location, you know that we were really hopeful as we entered into that agreement with Linchpin that we’d be able to create together something really cool in the core of the community. It’s unfortunate that the financing has not come together and we’ve had to move away from that. I don’t think there’s anyone to point the finger at. I think we were kind of — the city and Linchpin together — taking a big swing here to do something really neat and ideally transformative for downtown and it just didn’t happen.
The city will reimburse Linchpin for some of the development costs. City Manager Paul Briseno… “This reimbursement compensates the development, the developer for specific works completed on city-owned property. The work addressed conditions the city was responsible for and would need to address regardless of who develops or re-develops the site. The reimbursement includes $120,330.25 for asbestos, lead abatement, roof repairs; $157,596.75 for mold remediation; $30 thousand for relocation of a gas line.”
In total, the city will reimburse Linchpin $307,927. In exchange, Linchpin will provide the city non-proprietary information produced during the project, including the site survey, geotechnical information and information on the property’s eligibility for Historic Tax Credits.
City Council Member Brianna Doran asked Briseno if there are alternative plans for the armory now… “I also wanted to confirm that new options, and alternatives or next steps forward with this property will be brought forward by staff at a future meeting. Is that correct?”
Briseno replied… “Correct. Hearing the desire and interest for this property, staff plans on bringing ideas forward as early as September 22.”
The city entered into an agreement with Linchpin in 2020. Built back in 1937, the former National Guard Armory building has been owned by the City of Brookings since 1976 and for several years served as the home of the city’s Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department.
— Brookings Radio News
