Property owner asks council to allow rehabilitation of the Ida Apartments; staff outlines requirements to remove property from demolition list

Scott Mann, who identified himself as the owner of the Ida Apartment building at 1901 Pierce Street, asked the Sioux City Council during citizen concerns to remove the building from the city’s demolition process so he can rehabilitate it.

Mann said he purchased the property in April with plans to restore it after roof fire damage and that he has secured local contractors for plumbing, heating and electrical work. “I was unaware” the property had been put out to bid for demolition while he was obtaining engineering plans, he said. Mann told the council he has the resources to complete repairs and that renovation would bring “hundreds of thousands of dollars” into the local economy.

City staff explained the property remains on the demolition list because city requirements had not been satisfied. A staff speaker said city staff mailed and posted demolition notices and that an asbestos survey is under way. The building official, Daryl Bullock, told council the city has not received contractor estimates showing work will bring the building up to current code; Bullock said required items — professional bids and zoning approvals — remain outstanding.

Planning staff, Chris Madison, told the council that under the property’s current zoning the number of units could not be reestablished because of the damage; however, a rezoning to urban residential would make the building legally conforming and allow planning to sign off on permits. When asked about parking requirements, Madison said rezoning to urban residential could remove the off-street parking requirement.

Bullock and other staff discussed bonding and insurance. Bullock said the city does not have possession of a roughly $70,000 insurance check that had been mentioned previously and that a $100,000 bond had been discussed as a condition. City staff said they will continue to work with Mann to identify required documentation; the council asked staff to return the item to the agenda in two weeks after Mann provides contractor estimates, bids and any bonding or financing documentation he can secure.

Council members encouraged Mann to deliver hard-copy bids and to work with Bullock and planning staff. Mann said he expected to have required estimates available immediately and volunteered to provide contractor bids and bonding information promptly. Council directed staff to prepare a request for council action to revisit the matter at the next meeting.