Commission separates Main Street, Michigan Avenue lot sales; OKs Fourth Avenue infill home

During a lengthy discussion Tuesday, the Three Rivers City Commission decided to move forward with a potential $1 sale of 407 S. Main St. to local resident James Metty while holding the proposed sale of 208 E. Michigan Ave. for a later meeting. Commissioners also approved the sale of 429 Fourth Ave. to AHI Group, LLC for $5,000, adding a requirement that construction be completed within 30 months.

“Is there something we don’t know?” Commissioner Carolyn McNary asked City Manager Joe Bippus as the board weighed whether to bundle the two vacant-lot sales or split them.

On the Main Street parcel, Metty told commissioners he wants the lot to support a planned used car dealership and related repairs at his existing 419 S. Main property. The commission voted to place the 407 S. Main sale on file for 30 days as required by the city charter, allowing other offers to be submitted before a final decision.

The separate 208 E. Michigan lot prompted confusion over who, if anyone, intended to buy it alongside Metty. Bippus said he wanted both parcels noticed for 30 days to keep options open, including speaking with adjacent owners about purchasing the Michigan Avenue lot. After discussion — and with Metty saying he was not seeking that parcel — the commission agreed to remove 208 E. Michigan from the motion and revisit it later.

Earlier in the meeting, commissioners approved the sale of 429 Fourth Ave. to AHI Group, LLC for an infill housing project. AHI representatives said the home would be a three-bedroom with a garage and covered front porch, and they’re targeting completion by spring. The resolution includes a 30-month completion provision.

Commissioners also adopted special assessment resolutions following public hearings on delinquent utility bills (about $6,830) and delinquent general accounts receivable (about $7,983), adding both to the December 2025 tax roll. 

In brief discussion, the board signaled interest in exploring ways to enable building on substandard legacy lots — potentially through setback or variance pathways — so more infill housing could be feasible, with further work expected through the planning commission and master plan process.

All commissioners were present at Tuesday’s meeting.

Maxwell Knauer is a staff writer for Watershed Voice.