Aug. 20--Efforts to develop city-owned lots in downtown had made enough progress by Tuesday for the Mandan City Commission to extend agreements with two developers.

Hopfauf Custom Builders has focused on an undeveloped lot at the corner of Collins Avenue and Main Street, and Dakota Commercial and Development Co. has been working to develop a parcel at First Street N.W. and Main Street.

"Both have been making progress on a development plan," Mandan development director Ellen Huber told the commission.

When the city chose the two developers, they required a certain amount of progress and an update by Aug. 1.

The Hopfauf firm created Western Edge Developments to own the property, has provided documentation of financing arrangements and has preliminary architectural drawing, including parking needs.

Dakota Commercial and Development did not meet the city's deadline for deciding the vehicle for ownership; however, it had provided documentation of interesting by private lenders and has been working on plans for parking.

Both envision the possibility of underground parking.

The commission voted to continue the Letters of Understanding with the firms.

In other action, the Mandan City Commission:

--Declined a request for a liquor license by Brandon Ehlis, a former Mandan man living in Minneapolis. In the past Ehlis asked for and was refused a liquor license in the former Western Store location. This time around, his request was for the store front at 320 West Main Street. Commissioners wanted more information about what kind of bar Ehlis had in mind and a parking plan before they would act.

--Accepted a $2.9 million bid from PKG Contracting for work, "optimizing" the city's water plant.

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