The Spokane City Council recently approved the purchase of two East Spokane properties and relocation costs for the businesses that occupy them at a total cost of about $6.1 million as part of its planned Havana Street railroad overpass project.

Though the council has approved purchase prices for the two properties, the sales haven't been completed yet, says city spokeswoman Marlene Feist.

The city expects to advertise for bids soon for the construction of that overpass, which city engineers estimate will cost about $11 million to construct, not including land acquisition costs. Noble Excavating Inc., of Libby, Mont., recently was awarded a $600,000 contract to bore holes for and install steel utility casings beneath the BNSF Railway Co. railroad tracks as part of that overall project.

One of the properties the city has approved buying is located at 1001 N. Havana, just northwest of the tracks there, which will be crossed by the bridge. The council approved paying up to $3.2 million for the about seven-acre property, including $2.8 million for the purchase and $410,000 for relocation and real estate costs. The project will mean relocating tenants of a 32,000-square-foot building located on the property.

The owner of that property is listed as Havana LLC, and the city says it began condemnation proceedings in Spokane County Superior Court earlier this year to acquire the property. According to city documents, the parties have agreed on a price of $2.8 million for the property. The property owner couldn't be reached for comment, but on Oct. 10, an order was entered in Superior Court to disburse funds in the case.

The other property, at 4323 E. Broadway, is the longtime home of Hite Crane & Rigging Inc. It is about two acres in size and includes a small office building and about a 4,000-square-foot shop, and also has been the subject of condemnation proceedings by the city in Superior Court this year. City documents say the parties have agreed to settle pending litigation for about $1.9 million. The City Council approved the purchase price, along with relocation costs of about $1.1 million, for a total of up to $2.9 million to acquire the property. Gary Hite, of Hite Crane, declined to comment, saying the matter isn't resolved yet, and a final order hasn't been entered into Superior Court records.