FOLEY, Ala. — The city of Foley’s efforts to sell the old Cactus Café building this week proved unsuccessful.

During Monday’s regular City Council meeting, Foley City Administrator Mike Thompson announced the status of the foreclosed building.

“Today we went through the sales process of Cactus Café,” he said. “We had no bidders.”

Thompson explained that the city maintains the deed and that the previous owners have two years to reclaim the property.

“During that time period, we can do improvements for the safety of the building,” he said.

Foley City Council President Wayne Trawick asked whether the previous owners made any attempt to reclaim the property.

“They had an attorney there,” Thompson said. “No statement was made. This is their fourth attorney.”

As previously reported, in February 2012, the city declared the two-story building located at the intersection of North Alston Street and U.S. Highway 98 to be a nuisance. According to city records, the building was owned by the Sutton family before the city made its declaration to prevent its deterioration.

Following that declaration, the city made subsequent repairs, which records indicate total $104,025.38.

Then during a public hearing in September, co-owner Bennett “Bubba” Sutton of Gulf Shores said he had been previously unaware of the city’s actions. However, City Administrator Mike Thompson argued that Bennett had been onsite during a city tour of the property to assess needed repairs. The two also disagreed over the city’s efforts to work with the Sutton family to bring businesses into the building. During that hearing, Sutton had said City Economic Director Jeff Rouzie had been difficult to work with. But Thompson said he took offense at the claim. That hearing ended with Sutton agreeing to work with the city to repay work done on the building and get its current status lifted.

In October, the City Council voted to move forward with its efforts to recoup what it spent.

During Monday’s meeting, Councilman Ralph Hellmich expressed concern over spending more funds on the endeavor.

“I don’t want to put in too much money,” he said.

Thompson said repairs included flooring on the building’s second level and the roof.

“Those are things we can be reimbursed for,” he said.

Thompson added that the city was also having the locks changed on the building, which was completed Tuesday. He added that the city does have additional options with the building.

“Even within the two-year period, we can sell it,” he said. “But the estate’s ability to buy it back goes with that.”