City of Galesville acquires land, future plans not known

The City of Galesville agreed after a closed session discussion last week to “acquire” a small plot of land near between South Third Street and Gibson Street, but no plans for that land were known as of Thursday’s council meeting.

The plot does not currently house any buildings, is about 0.4-acres large and is on Gibson Street near BCS Automotive.

Mayor Vince Howe told the Times after the meeting that the council approved “acquiring some land” with a 5-0 vote. Councilor Dave Carlson was not at Thursday’s meeting.

The motion by councilor Kelly Kreger last Thursday was to “inquire with BCS and Clyde Enterprises about the property on South 3rd Street and Gibson if it was surveyed and to have a deed drafted and filed with the Register of Deeds. Paying for those costs and paying for the cost of survey if needed.”

When asked after the meeting if the city purchased the land, Howe said that it was not purchased but rather “acquired”.

Howe said the acquisition is early in the process, adding there is “not much” he could say right now “until we get everything finalized.”

Future plans for the property were not part of the motion to acquire the land, which received unanimous approval from the council.

“There isn’t one,” Clerk Jennifer Hess told the Times when asked about plans for the property. “We didn’t discuss any of that.”

Editor's note: The headline of this story was amended to reflect that the city did not pay any money for the land as of Thursday.