- Ligonier Mayor Patty Fisel advised city council members Monday to accept a substantial gift offer.

Fisel said she was contacted Monday by the owners of the former Royal Imprints building, located on Gerber Street in the city's industrial park, with an offer. The plant closed last year after being in operation for more than 45 years, and has been empty since then. About 35 people lost their jobs with the closing on June 30 of last year.

Fisel said the building's owners, Taylor Corporation - a Minnesota-based conglomerate - are offering to give the building and two acres of land to the city with virtually no strings attached.

"I think we should pursue this. It appears to be a very good deal for the city," Fisel said.

The building has been on the real estate market with a pricetag of $291,500. It has 18,400-square-feet including 1,300 feet of office space. The building is located on two acres and is in very good condition, Fisel said.

City council members voted 4-0 to respond favorably to the offer, and instructed city attorney Steve Hagen to research the situation.

Fisel said it is not the city's intention to be long-term owners of the building. She said the city would take ownership with the idea of leasing or selling it to a company as a way of enticing new business to the city.

Council member Glenn Longardner said the only downside he could see would be the property coming off the city and county tax rolls while in the city's name. Annual property taxes were estimated at $7,350 according to a sales flyer for the building.

"Our goal is not to take it off the tax rolls," Fisel said. "We think it could be used as an incubator for new businesses coming to the city." The city of Ligonier could eventually sell the building and make a profit from it, she added.

Property at the rear of the building borders the Elkhart River and would fit in with city's new walking path along the river. That project is started and the Royal Imprints land would be part of the path.

The deal could be finalized in the next few weeks once the final details are worked out, she said.