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VALLEY — In its final meeting of calendar year 2023, the Valley City Council on Monday sold some property on Fob James Drive. Prime Space Holdings LLC has agreed to purchase a 5.5-acre site for $220,000. Prime Space has agreed to invest up to $1 million in developing the site into a business that employs approximately 10 people. Its intention is to open a new bar and grill on the site. The new business should be open by January 2026.

In other business, the council agreed to widen Fairfax Bypass to provide an entrance to the new high school that’s going to be built near Ram Stadium. The council had previously agreed to an annual paving plan for 2024 that included resurfacing Fairfax Bypass from Givorns to the GFA trucking terminal. Preparing a new entrance to the coming high school will be part of that project. The project will involve hauling in dirt with city equipment.

Prior to the regular session, a public hearing took place to allow anyone to offer input on a proposal to have a zoning change on a 275-acre site in the vicinity of Combs Road and Fairfax Bypass. The site is presently zoned R-3 (medium density residential). A request has been made to change the designation to PRD-3 (planned single family attached and detached residential district). In the council meeting that followed, a first reading of an ordinance to do this was read. It could be approved following a second reading the council’s next meeting on Monday, January 8, 2024. The zoning change would allow for a new subdivision to locate on the site.

The council determined a public nuisance and authorized action to tear down a dilapidated structure on King Road. The house is in an advances state of decline and has a huge hole in its roof. According to code enforcement officials, the property owner is in agreement that the structure needs to come down.

The council amended the budget to include an expense of just under $15,000 to repair some sprinkles at Valley Community Center.

Valley Parks & Recreation Director Laurie Blount told the council that the weather has been good so far for the current run of the Christmas Merry Go Round. The turnouts are usually good in years where the weather doesn’t get too cold or too stormy. “We are hoping this continues,” she said. “We will be closing for the season at 5 p.m. Sunday.”

The Merry Go Round always closes at 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve. The Merry Go Round is a local tradition that goes back to 1956. It has always opened after Thanksgiving and closes on Christmas Eve.

Council Member Jim Clark thanked the Valley Parks & Recreation staff for their actions in treating a man who had a fall at the Community Center. “He’s doing well now,” Clark said. “We are thankful for the care he received when this happened.”

Members of the council took turns in wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. The council’s next meeting will be taking place in 2024.