A plan to move a city water maintenance facility into south Minneapolis' East Phillips neighborhood appears is on hold.

Officials had hoped to move its water operations from an outdated location in northeast Minneapolis to the site at 28th Street and Longfellow Avenue S. But Council Member Alondra Cano, who represents the neighborhood where the new facility would be, said the city is no longer in negotiations after it made an offer but the property owner decided not to sell.

The land is occupied by roofing supply company Roof Depot and was never formally on the market. But after receiving approval from the City Council in June, officials had entered into talks with the landowner. The plan drew criticism from Cano and neighbors who said the area already suffers from traffic congestion and pollution from several industrial operations.

Cano said city officials told her they intend to try to resume negotiations on the property in September, but she considers the property owner's change in plans a victory.

A city spokesman said officials could not comment because it involved financial negotiations. A representative for MG McGrath Inc., the property owner, referred questions to Jay Chmieleski, a vice president with Colliers International. Chmieleski confirmed that the property was never officially on the market and said it's under lease for another year.

Cano and others who spoke out against the city's plans are holding a celebration and meeting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at Mercado Central on Lake Street.