Albert Lea council orders abatement of four hazardous structures after engineers cite public-safety risks

ALBERT LEA, Minn. — The Albert Lea City Council on Monday voted to declare four properties hazardous and to begin abatement proceedings — by repair or removal — after building officials and engineers documented severe structural deterioration that staff said poses a public-safety risk.

The council approved orders for 338 Broadway Avenue South (the former Broadway Theatre), 809 Clark Street West, 915 Autumn Street and 819 Garfield Avenue. Councilors said they expect staff to obtain detailed demolition and asbestos-removal estimates and to return to the council for contract award and financing decisions when costs exceed the city’s internal thresholds.

City Manager (name not specified) and Wayne Sorensen, Albert Lea building official, told the council the Broadway Theatre has a large bulge and deflection in a south masonry wall, fractured foundation stone, moisture damage beneath stucco, and an aging truss system that engineers say must be fully investigated before any repair plan could be guaranteed. Sorensen said a 2023 contractor estimate for masonry and related exterior work was about $726,000; he added that exposing the interior structure could reveal additional costs and that a realistic total for repair could add roughly $200,000–$300,000 depending on conditions. "It's just a matter of when it's gonna fall, not…