It looks like there could be a bidding war over a piece of Watertown property no one has really ever wanted.

The city-owned land, just off Arsenal Street, recently caught the eye of two businesses and both of them want to buy it.

The tug of war over the Haney Street property has put Watertown lawmakers in a tough position and they hope the business owners will find some way to share the land.

It all started about a year ago.

Kessler Restaurants LLC, which owns Friendly's Restaurant on Arsenal Street, wants to expand the eatery.

The company approached the city and offered $10,000 for the land behind the restaurant.

Just before the deal closed, Kevin Fear, spoke up.

He owns Mattress Express, which is right next to Friendly's.

He decided he'd like to buy the land and offered $15,000.

Faced with two offers, city council voted on whether or not to sell the property to Friendly's for $15,000.

Lawmakers rejected selling the land to Friendly's in hopes that the restaurant and mattress business can find some way to share the land.

"Unfortunately, the new Friendly's prototype design requires enough space so that we would need the entire piece of property in order to develop that.  Sharing of the property is not an option," said Larry Ross, Kessler marketing director.

Ross said Friendly's plans to purchase the land to expand and create new jobs.

Fear has not divulged specific plans for the property, but has said he's willing to share the land with Friendly's.

"Let's have a public auction.  Let's just see.  Let the person who wants it the most buy it," said Fear.

That's exactly what might happen since Friendly's wants the entire property.

"Maybe these two sides can reach an accommodation with the property, but if that's not the case, then I think it should probably go to auction and let the democracy of the marketplace determine who's the owner," said Mayor Jeff Graham.

Fear says he's prepared to pay more than $15,000 for the property.

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