As Sparks City planners envision improving Victorian Square, they have identified a few buildings that are in the way of proposed future growth. The building on Monday's city council agenda was 1212 Victorian Ave.

The current home of Paddy and Irene's Irish Pub, a smoke shop and six apartments would need to be torn down if the city were to move forward with plans for a city road that would eventually join Victorian Avenue and the Avenue of the Oaks, according to David Vill, real property agent for the City of Sparks.

But the city cannot come to an agreement with the property owner on the purchase price. The City of Sparks has offered $672,500 while the owner, Victorian Partners, LLC, believes the property is worth more because of an existing Disposition and Development Agreement, according to Vill. The agreement exists between the land owner and the city's redevelopment agency and stipulates conditions involving the sale of agency-owned land.

So at Monday's City Council meeting, city officials opened the possibility of condemning the building. Council approved a professional services agreement with attorney Michael Chapman to provide specialized condemnation legal services.

"We are still trying to continue to negotiate and come to an agreement," city spokesman Adam Mayberry said. "This (approving a lawyer) is just the first step to condemn this property."

Vill said that the condemnation proceedings would be pursued as a last resort.

"We will negotiate right up to the very last second when we can no longer negotiate," Vill said.

Four tenants currently rent apartments on the upstairs levels of the property and, according to Vill, would receive benefits if they were forced to relocate. The tenants have also met with the city's relocation consultant, according to Vill.

Other recent city purchases include the Pacific Pawnbrokers, located next door to the 1212 Victorian Ave. property, and the Mint Casino.

The casino is scheduled for demolition this fall, according to City of Sparks public works representatives. That building is in the process of being cleared of asbestos so that the demolition process can begin. The bid for demolition was awarded to Empire Contractors at the City of Sparks Redevelopment Agency meeting Monday. The construction bid is for $76,920.

Other decisions on the city council agenda included:

• The home economics room at Dillworth Middle School will be getting a fresh coat of paint, as well as new cabinetry and flooring after the council approved an informal bid for $79, 612. Best in the West Construction presented the informal quote.

• Vanessa Anderson, Alexis Trundy, Juan Gomez and Tracy Rodriguez were recognized as scholarship winners, representing Sparks, for the Nevada League of Cities. Rodriguez received a $1,000 scholarship to the university of her choice, while the other recipients received $500 and $100 scholarships. All of the students were from Sparks High School.

• The council approved the purchase of new financial software from Agresso, an international information technologies company based out of Europe. The new software will be implemented in two phases.