The Escondido City Council on Oct. 2 established Obsolete Property Rehabilitation Act District No. 29 for the former Crispinas building at 1213 Ludington Street and approved recommending an OPRA exemption application to the Michigan State Tax Commission.

Kurt Spalding, speaking as the applicant for 1213 Ludington Street, said he and his partners are requesting the OPRA certificate for the property, which they plan to operate as a high‑end martini lounge. "We're the ones that's requested the OPRA," Spalding said during the public hearing.

Crystal Martin, the city assessor, told the council the closing will be completed before the paperwork is submitted to the state: "The closing of the property will be done before we submit to the state tax commission at the end of the month. So the property will be in his name when we submit all the paperwork." Council and staff also noted the city has used OPRA in 28 prior projects and that OPRA certificates can be revoked if an applicant’s deal falls through.

The OPRA district hearing was followed by two motions: one to establish District No. 29 and a second to approve forwarding the exemption request to the state tax commission. Both motions passed on roll calls recorded during the meeting. Council discussion referenced timelines tied to a state submission deadline that staff said must occur before Oct. 31.

Staff and the council said the OPRA process is intended to leverage state support for rehabilitation projects and that the application will move forward with the standard state review process if the council’s recommendations are transmitted.

No additional conditions or incentives beyond those included in the OPRA packet were enacted at the meeting.