Proposed renovations in Pontiac are at a standstill due to an auction run amok last month.

Located on the corner of Saginaw and Pike Streets in Downtown Pontiac, Lot 9 used to provide safe, guarded parking most commonly for patrons of Crofoot Ballroom, and night clubs Tonic and Elektricity.

Pontiac is just minutes away from OU and, in terms of the club scene, is the closest nightlife to the University. The Crofoot is one of the only venues nearby that houses live affordable entertainment. Pontiac’s venues cater specifically to college-aged people.

The lot was auctioned off by Emergency Financial Manager Lou Schimmel. But before the bidding war ended, a lawsuit was filed by Eagle Theater Entertainment LLC, current home of Elektricity Night Club; and Pike Street Pool, current home of the Crofoot Ballroom; against Schimmel and the city of Pontiac.

Unaware of the impending lawsuit, the EFM finished the auction with Rod Blake as the high bidder — he bought the lot for $1.29 million. Blake, Principal Broker and Consultant for Winnsboro Forest Companies, failed to close on the lot before the March 20 deal. Therefore, the property was never sold but the lawsuit still remains in effect.

The complaint directed at the city states that inadequate notice was given before the auction of the lot. The suit also asserts that the selling of the property will negatively affect the surrounding businesses due to lack of sufficient parking.

The twist

Blake’s plans were to create better parking in order to benefit the surrounding businesses and the city.

“Immediate and mid-range plans include improved parking in the downtown…We need to increase daytime traffic downtown …Longer term, I would like to see the site developed to include a mix of retail and residential uses,” Blake said of his future plans for the city.

The owners of Crofoot and Elektricity did not respond to calls made regarding the parking lot.

Mickey Cook of Michael Dean LLC owns and operates the collection booth that provides security to the cars parked in Lot 9.

“What happened was the bidding got too high, I’ve seen it happen so many times, people get caught up in the excitement…and if you pay too much for the lot, then there’s not enough money to put into it,” Cook said.

“The plan is to hopefully close on the lot and work together (with Blake) to make improvements,” said Cook, the second highest bidder at the auction.

Can Pontiac clean up its act?

The Phoenix Center, next to Lot 9, is slated to be torn downto possibly create a new lighted and paid parking structure and lengthen Saginaw Street to directly connect with Woodward.

Plans for demolition are in the works, but have also been challenged by a lawsuit. The plans are opposed by Ottawa Towers, which is next to the Phoenix Center. The Ottawa Towers employees frequently use the Phoenix Center for parking, though the actual reason for the suit stems from the speculation of altered reports on the condition of the structure.