The Board of Public Works and Safety voted Wednesday to reaffirm a demolition order for an unsafe church property on East North Street after a proposed redevelopment deal with Creekside Outdoor Living failed to close.

Mayor Peter told the board he had received word from Mike Arnold, a Creekside representative, that the foundation selling the property would not convey the site unless the buyer guaranteed the church structure would be used in a renovation. Creekside would not make such a guarantee without conducting an interior study, so the buyer withdrew and the purchase agreement was not completed.

City staff and board members discussed the project history: Creekside had sought a rezone from the city council (which was granted) and had intended to complete a feasibility study and, if feasible, purchase the property from the foundation. That sequence did not occur because the foundation required a guarantee that the church building would be reused as part of the renovation.

Alex (staff member) recommended the board reaffirm the earlier determination that the building is unsafe and move forward with demolition. Board member Bob Clemons said he was disappointed but supported reaffirming the prior decision. The board voted to reaffirm the demolition order by motion, second and voice vote; members recorded “aye” and no opposition.

Staff said the demolition contractor will need an asbestos inspection and an IDEM permit before work can begin; the board asked staff to obtain a demolition schedule from the contractor and report back. Mayor Peter said he did not want the structure left standing through the next spring, and staff estimated demolition could take place in roughly 30 to 60 days after permits and inspections are cleared.

The item returns the property to the status it held after prior hearings: designated unsafe with a demolition order in place. The board directed staff to proceed with the administrative and permitting steps required to implement the order and to provide an expected timetable to the board.