By Talaina Kor During the Holbrook City Council meeting on Oct. 22, the council received an economic development update from its director Jason Foutz. Foutz mentioned the new China Buffet restaurant is waiting for Governor Ducey to allow them to open due to current restrictions. Foutz said he’s working with Navajo County to issue China Buffet its health certification. “I was going to talk with the county today to see if we can get that going so when the Governor does allow things to open up, he (the owner) is ready to go.” Foutz also mentioned that the Globetrotter Inn on Hopi Drive was sold awhile back, and the owner is planning to renovate and open all of its rooms. Foutz noted that he has not yet met with the new owner but he hopes to in the new future. He reminded the council that the Jerry’s Restaurant building that was purchased will be opened as Bienvenidos Restaurant. Regarding its opening, Foutz stated, “I don’t know what the snag is, I haven’t had a chance to talk with her (the owner), but she’s excited to get it open.” Foutz stated that the old Tate’s building on Navajo Blvd. has sold. Foutz talked with the owner, who stated that repairs will be needed to be done before it is open hopefully in the spring. “I don’t have a lot of details on what he (the owner) is planning on doing with the building,” said Foutz, “The one thing I do know is he’s planning on is a body shop.” Foutz added that The Golden Inn should be closed by the end of the week and those who will plan to buy it will make it a franchise, although Foutz isn’t sure which one as of yet. Foutz also gave an update on the city endeavors. “We’ve been working on keeping the streetlights in good repair and also getting a plan to keep them looking good and working good,” he stated. He also mentioned that they are working to replace picnic benches in the city parks with a $3,500 grant from Arizona Public Service. “The city manager has already been successfully awarded a grant to replace the tables at West End Park,” said Foutz. The city also erected official signs at each of the parks “so that we have some standard branding throughout the city at those parks.” Foutz also stated the city is working to clean city-owned properties, adding that the city has seen a massive clean-up going on from the citizens as well. “It’s been great to see people taking pride in the community,” said Foutz. Foutz informed the council that the city is creating a database of commercial buildings that are for sale. “We’ve taken all the properties listed for sale in town and listed them on APS’ economic development website called Arizona Prospector to get bigger and better coverage.” He also mentioned keeping an eye out for housing opportunities, as well as land to build houses for business owners and workers. Councilman Earl Kester stated that he had read in a recent edition of The Tribune under Looking Back that 25 years ago Dusan Pesut, who owns the dilapidated bus depot on the corner of Navajo Blvd. and Hopi Drive, was obligated to restore that building as part of its development within one year of the time of purchase or the property would revert back to the city. Vice Mayor Francie Payne clarified that it wasn’t the bus depot property but the commercial property on the north end of Navajo Blvd. owned by Pesut. “I believe that was for property Dusan purchased in the light industrial park just down from where Days Inn is. “On the bus (depot) property, he installed that sign on top of it illegally and the city took him to court and were told that the council, the city, had the right to tell him to take it down or surrender the property. He pled his case to the council and they decided it was okay; he could leave it. I think we could still do something about the old bus depot,” stated Payne, adding that the situation regarding the property in the light industrial park may not have been finalized in the contract.