A topic of debate since May 2010, the 135-year-old Halberstadt House, 104 N. Central Ave., is again on the table for discussion about its landmark status — but for discussion only. The item is listed on the agenda as an update during the Committee-of-the-Whole meeting at Urbana City Council’s regular meeting Monday.

Canaan Baptist Church, which owns the property, has said it is willing to sell the property, although contrary to the original plan when it bought the land to destroy the home. The church has been planning to use the area for a parking lot to solve a parking problem that existed for some time.

“The church really doesn’t seem to want to own the property if it’s landmarked,” said Eric Jakobsson, Ward 2.

There is currently a potential buyer who has toured the property, whom Jakobsson said has plans to preserve the home. City staff is requesting more time to finalize the process of coming to a decision.

“I’m sort of optimistic that we’re going to wind up with a win-win situation,” Jakobsson said. “At the end of the day, everyone will get what they want and what should happen, which is that the church parking problem should be solved and the house should be landmarked, preserved, nurtured and even provide a very nice place for probably two families or individuals to live.”

Alternative parking locations are being looked into, such as the area adjacent to the church on the east side, where a building they owned had to be demolished. It is a place that needs more parking for commerce, Jakobsson said.

Despite the concerns expressed earlier this year, the issue of this land being over floodplains, which may present a hazard, is one that “can be overcome,” Jakobsson added.

Three resolutions are also on the agenda regarding an agreement with the Illinois Department of Transportation, construction of a high cross road multi-use path and improvement by the municipality under the Illinois Highway Code.