An ordinance to sell the former site of Fitzgibbon Hospital narrowly advanced at Marshall’s city council meeting Tuesday night.

By a 4-3 vote, the council advanced to second reading an agreement to sell the property at 868 South Brunswick for $25,000. Mayor Vince Lutterbie says the buyer has experience redeveloping properties.

The council initially accepted the bid by a 6-1 vote, with Steve Cook objecting. During discussion on the ordinance executing the agreement, Cook said the residents in the area had told him they would prefer to see the entire site turned into a park, rather than the city retaining a smaller green space. That suggestion prompted council members John Allen Jr and Jim Papreck to also vote against the ordinance. Lutterbie says it’s a different sentiment than what he had previously heard.

Lutterbie notes that renewed discussions could prompt the council to gather before their next regularly scheduled meeting July 2nd.

In other action, the council approved the plan by Gehm Environmental for asbestos abatement for the smokestack and boiler at the former state hospital site, and accepted the low bid of $22,908 from Meyer Electric of Jefferson City to install a crosswalk next fiscal year at the intersection of College and Odell.