North of the lot slated for a new Osprey headquarters, a developer is proposing to build more commercial space.

Mitchell Toms, an owner of Montezuma Partners LLC, offered to buy about an acre of city land on the corner of North Mildred Road and East Driscoll Street for $40,000.

It will could be the new home of mixed-use development that would be built in stages, Toms told the council Feb 23.

It could be new office or distribution space that would allow businesses to expand over time. But it would not be built for an industrial business.

He could not give the council a time-frame for the project.

“As soon as we can acquire it, we’ll be working with the architect,” he said.

City Manager Shane Hale asked if Toms might be interested in a similar jobs-for-land deal that the city recently struck with Osprey.

“It’s not just about cash for land, it really is about growth for the community,” he said.

While Toms said he believes people will be employed in the new buildings and he plans to work with entrepreneurs to fit their needs, he could not promise direct employment.

Toms has been a proactive landlord in the community through Montezuma Partners LLC and Cortez Partners LLC.

After the deal was presented during a city council workshop, the group went into a closed session to discuss real estate matters.

mshinn@durangoherald.com