By JIM BUTLER

Time was the Weiss & Goldring building in downtown Alexandria was abuzz this time of year, as Easter attire drew shoppers by the dozens. Now it attracts an occasional homeless person, feral cats, and city dollars.

At-large councilman Jules Green said at Tuesday’s City Council meeting he thinks it time to toss in the towel and take the entire place down.

That came at start of discussion regarding taking bids to raze and clear the parking garage.

Mayor Jacques Roy said that portion is a threat to public safety and not salvageable, but remains confident the remaining property can be attractive to private investment.

The city acquired the building, built in 1907 and vacated in the early 1990s,  through a donation in 2017.

The mayor posed three possible scenarios: sell it, co-develop it, exchange it for other property.

None, he said, are realistic with the garage liability front and center.

Years ago the city faced a similar juncture with what is now Holiday Inn Downtown, the mayor reminded, noting how that has worked out.

Councilman Ed Larvadain asked if there is any current private sector interest. Roy said yes, but the risk is one potential investors are unwilling to take considering the garage condition.

Lizzie Felter said the city without question must take the garage down but needs to keep the property viable in some fashion.

Roy agreed to take a building walk-through with council members.

The resolution to advertise for demolition bids was accepted.