The city of Washington is stepping in once again to assist a downtown business owner impacted by the construction of a neighboring restaurant. The City Council has authorized a significant payout to Marlene Miller, owner of the property at 114 Walnut Street, to cover unexpected costs stemming from the development of Tangled Roots Craft Beer & Kitchen. This marks the second instance of the city providing financial aid for issues related to the restaurant’s construction.
Key Takeaways
- Washington City Council approved a $115,700 payment to Marlene Miller for damages, repairs, rent loss, and legal fees incurred due to the construction of a neighboring restaurant.
- The city will also spend $25,000 to address drainage issues near Miller’s property, also attributed to the restaurant’s construction.
- This follows a previous reimbursement of over $27,700 to the Washington Historical Society for similar construction-related building issues.
- A meeting is scheduled to discuss the payment logistics and potential legal action against the developer, CL Red.
Financial Assistance for Business Owner
Marlene Miller, a sculptor and owner of the property at 114 Walnut Street, will receive approximately $115,700 from the city. This reimbursement is intended to cover damages, repair costs, lost rent, and legal fees that arose during the construction of the adjacent Tangled Roots restaurant. Miller had previously attempted to recover these costs from the developer, CL Red, without success.
The Washington City Council authorized this payment during a special meeting. A further $25,000 has been allocated to address drainage problems near Miller’s building, which were also caused by the restaurant’s construction. Stark Excavating of Bloomington has been contracted to assess and perform the necessary repairs, which include replacing a sidewalk and addressing issues with an area drain and downspout pipe.
Precedent of City Support
This is not the first time the city has provided financial assistance related to the Tangled Roots construction. In 2024, the Washington Historical Society, another neighbor located at 128 Washington Square, received over $27,700 in reimbursement for similar building issues caused by the development.
A meeting is scheduled for June 15 involving Miller, city officials, and legal counsel to finalize the details of the $115,700 payment. The discussion will also explore potential legal recourse against CL Red if the developer does not contribute to the settlement.
Other City Initiatives
In other city business, the council approved hiring a consultant to study the feasibility of establishing a Business Development District (BDD) for the Washington Plaza shopping center. This BDD could fund economic development efforts through a proposed 0.25% sales tax, potentially generating $30,000 to $35,000 annually. The council also received an update on the upcoming cannabis dispensary, with construction tentatively slated to begin in early July.
Additionally, contracts were approved for office space renovations at the Police Station and City Hall, road and sidewalk condition inventories, a compensation study for city employees, construction inspection services for capital projects, and the purchase of a new backhoe. Appointments were also made to the Five Points Washington board and the Glendale Cemetery board of managers.
