Property in the area of 8th Street and 16th Avenue NE is being bought as part of a possible addition to the Hormel Institute. -- Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com

The Hormel Foundation, through Leaning Tree, LLC, is in the process of purchasing properties east of The Hormel Institute, which doesn’t involve City of Austin funding, according to a press release issued by The Hormel Foundation Tuesday.

Steve Rizzi, who is the secretary of The Foundation and Leaning Tree, said Tuesday that the acquisition is for possible Institute expansion, although no plans have been determined.

The properties could by used for expansion, green space, low-density housing or multi-family housing, Rizzi said in May.

“It could be used for other community purposes, or the potential for other entities to bring scientific research to Austin, and develop facilities in that area,” he said at the time.

The press release from Tuesday also stated that Leaning Tree’s property acquisition efforts are nearing completion (23 properties have been purchased so far) and the demolition process will begin soon.

Rizzi added Tuesday that the number of parcels Leaning Tree had planned to purchase expanded, as some property owners approached them with offers.

City Administrator Jim Hurm reiterated neither the city nor Austin Port Authority is involved in the property acquisition. Jeff Austin, member of the City Council and port authority, said the property acquisition is part of a different project in which the city is not involved.

“(The expansion) will be an attachment to the building that is currently there,” he said. “It has nothing to do with … where the investment broker is involved in buying out houses.”