Norwich — Several real estate items under review by city officials for the last several months could be ready for City Council votes on Monday.

The council will be asked at Monday's 7:30 p.m. meeting at City Hall to approve a resolution to purchase the former Dime Bank parking lot at 68 Broadway for $22,500. The lot is located between the city Human Services Department building and Norwich Arts Center.

The bank no longer uses the lot, and erected a chain barrier to prevent access. The city has been negotiating to buy the lot for several months.

Mayor Deberey Hinchey plans to remove the chain and open the lot for public parking as soon as possible for use by customers of Billy Wilson's Ageing Still across the street and Norwich Arts Center patrons.

A two-story fieldstone retaining wall forms the back wall of the parking lot. City Public Works Director Barry Ellison said the city had a structural engineering study done on the wall last year that identified some concerns and possible remedies.

Ellison said the department would inspect the wall regularly if the city completes the purchase and make repairs if necessary. Church Street runs past the property above the wall.

The council also is expected to vote to purchase a rundown, vacant duplex at 232 Yantic St. — a onetime tribal office of a small group claiming to be part of the Mohegan tribe — for $48,000 and plans to demolish the building.

The city would use part of a $270,000 state Department of Economic and Community Development grant received to help develop the Uncas Leap area as a heritage park. The duplex property abuts city-owned land at the Yantic River.

The council also could select a preferred developer Monday for two historic properties at 59 and 61 School St. The single-family house at 59 School St. was owned in the mid-19th century by escaped slave James L. Smith, who settled in Norwich. Smith likely rented the adjacent two-family house at 61 School St. prior to buying the house.

The first choice by a committee that reviewed the three proposals withdrew its application, and now the review committee is recommending B&G Jordan Rentals of Gales Ferry to renovate the properties.

The firm's proposal called for extensive renovations to the two houses. In May, Barbara Jordan said she would consider moving into the Smith House if parking could be secured at an adjacent lot owned by the city.

B&G Jordan was the successful bidder on 3-5, 9 and 9½ Fountain St., three properties also foreclosed on by the city in the Jail Hill neighborhood.

The Norwich Heritage Trust submitted the third bid and had hoped to raise money for an extensive historic restoration of the two properties as rental properties with a small museum open to the public on Smith's life and the city's role in the famous Underground Railroad.

Heritage Trust President Dale Plummer said his group is reviewing the B&G Jordan proposal and will meet prior to the council meeting to discuss whether to comment on the proposal.

c.bessette@theday.com

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