On Monday, March 18, the Woodland City Council approved the sale of 236 Davidson Ave., finalizing the surplus process for the city-owned property. The approval of Resolution No. 800 authorizes the mayor to sign the sales agreement and complete the transfer.
The city had initially declared the property surplus in August 2024 under Resolution No. 793. After an appraisal in October valued the property at $460,000, the council delayed listing it until after the November election. In February, the city entered into a sales agreement with Woodland Real Estate LLC, setting the listing price at $460,000. The city has now received an offer of $465,000 with no contingencies. The prospective buyers plan to open a café under the name Tiffany Mae’s Café.
“The thing I like about it is, it takes an asset that was on our taxpayers’ back and moves it to a commercial enterprise, (becoming) a tax generator,” Councilmember Terry Hall said. “It provides a wonderful service for downtown … You win all the way around with that. It’s a very good deal.”
Councilmember Melissa Doughty expressed support for the transaction, noting the benefits of a cash offer.
“Well, I think it’s great that it’s a cash offer, and it’s more than we were asking,” Doughty said. “It’s open and shut, and no contingencies.”
The city expects to receive approximately $435,000 after closing costs and fees, resulting in net proceeds of roughly $85,000. The sale is expected to close by April 10, and the city plans to vacate the building by then.
“There’s nothing we have to worry about. We can just wipe our hands clean and move on,” Doughty said.
Council members also discussed the property’s impact on downtown Woodland.
“For the realtor to bring us to says something about our downtown interest in terms of commercial activity, so that’s pretty positive,” Hall said.
The sale comes nearly three years after the city purchased the 2,050-square-foot building for $420,000 in October 2021. The city made renovations, including adding a kitchenette, to better serve public works operations. While the total cost of improvements was not specified, officials previously acknowledged that the sale could result in a net loss due to those investments.
Public works staff, who have been operating from 236 Davidson Ave., will return to city hall at 230 Davidson Ave. The move is expected to streamline customer service by consolidating operations under one roof. To create space at city hall, city records will be relocated to 700 Park St., the former library building.
The building also houses Ancient Artistry tattoo, which occupies 700 square feet under a lease at $850 per month through 2027. The sale will not affect the tattoo parlor’s lease, and the business will continue to operate under the new ownership.
As part of the surplus process, the city will also determine what to do with office furniture and other items from the building.
“We will be bringing this all to council, and … then do a surplus sale, garage sale … whatever we can do to get rid of all these things instead of storing equipment around here,” Mayor Todd Dinehart said.
The council unanimously approved the resolution, clearing the way for the sale to move forward.
