COLUMBUS, Ind. — City officials are clearing up some debt at Otter Creek Golf Course as negotiations continue over the course’s pending sale.
Columbus City Council voted Tuesday to approve an ordinance appropriating $200,000 from the city’s general fund reserves for this purpose, as well as to cover potential closing costs. While ordinances typically have to be voted on at two meetings for full approval, the council voted to suspend the rules and pass both readings on the same night.
The Otter Creek Management Corp. board recommended in early February that the city consider selling Otter Creek, given the financial requirements of maintaining the venue.
A request for proposals (RFP) was issued in April, and the city received a bid from Architerra LLC. Bob Haddad Jr., who is chief operating officer at Harrison Lake Country Club, and is listed as the company’s registered agent.
Mayor Jim Lienhoop said the city has been in negotiations with Haddad since then.
“We’ve met several times,” he said. “We’ve passed the documents back and forth, and I believe that we’re very close to an agreement, but we haven’t gotten there yet. So hopefully we can get there yet this month. And I’m not sure how soon we’ll be able to close, but we are hopeful of being able to announce something specific. But it’ll be later this month.”
For more on this story, see Friday’s Republic.
