WARSAW – The City Redevelopment Commission on Monday, Jan. 6, approved a purchase agreement for a property at the northwest corner of Fort Wayne and Indiana Streets where officials would like to eventually construct a new garage for the Parks and Recreation Department.

The city redevelopment commission voted to buy the property at 123 E. Fort Wayne St., for $77,750 plus closing costs after reviewing appraisals for the property. Sellers of the property were listed as the Keough family.

The property is just west of Central Park.

Plan Director Jeremy Skinner said the city had been talking with the owners and they expressed a willingness to sell.

The offer was based on the average of two appraisals paid for by the city.

In addition to the corner property, the city now owns two empty lots to the west along Fort Wayne Street that can also be used for the future garage.

The parks department garage is currently across the street from the vacated parks office along Canal Street. The old office space and garage are being relocated to make room for a multi-story, multi-use building that is part of the Buffalo Street redevelopment project along the lake.

A large garage north of the house at 123 E. Fort Wayne St. is also part of the acquisition. Closing on the sale is expected later this month.

While the redevelopment commission is acquiring the land, plans for the parks department garage will likely shift over to the park board.