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Property owner tells Clay County officials insurer paid half of lowest repair bid; asbestos and HVAC cited
Summary
A Clay County property owner told county staff the insurer paid roughly $130,000 — about half of the lowest repair bid of about $260,000 — after a loss to a building the owner says needs asbestos abatement and major HVAC and plumbing work before it is marketable.
A property owner told Clay County staff that an insurer paid roughly $130,000 after a claim on a damaged building and that outstanding asbestos abatement and HVAC problems leave the structure unusable and difficult to sell.
The owner said the insurer offered “half of the lowest bid,” and described a wide gap between bids: about $260,000 for the lowest estimate and a payment of $130,000 from the insurer. “I will never insure a building again for cash value because you're at their mercy,” the owner said, adding the insurer had valued the building at $9.75 (units not specified) on the policy paperwork the owner received.
Why it matters: the county assessor and staff were asked to inspect the building to see damage and determine whether assessment or tax treatment should change. The owner told officials the sanctuary space was largely undamaged but other parts of the building show extensive water and structural damage and that contractors found asbestos-wrapped steam pipes and broken cast-iron piping.
Details and context: the owner said contractors chosen by the insurer provided the repair bids. The insurer initially selected two firms (Servpro and ServiceMaster) and later a higher third bid from a contractor identified as ATP; the owner said the insurer relied on the lower bid and offered half that amount. The owner said the lowest bid included asbestos removal and a new boiler but that they doubted the lowest bid’s accuracy.
The owner said attempts to obtain vacancy insurance failed: an independent insurer returned a vacant-building application after receiving payment, the owner said. The owner also said they previously listed the property for sale at $9.75 (units not specified), later reduced it to $6.75 (units not specified), and that they have had no offers while asbestos abatement and other repairs remain undone.
On taxes and future sale: the owner said the property had been tax-exempt for much of its history, was taxed for the last two years (possibly three), and hopes a church buyer could restore the building and reestablish tax-exempt status. The owner said they have received about $120,000 plus an earlier $5,000 payment related to the loss, and that they are still seeking recovery of what they described as roughly $310,000 in total losses.
County response and next steps: a county staff member told the owner the county would review the matter and “get back with you in the next couple of days.” The owner said they would provide a copy of documents to the assessor's office and asked that staff tour the property to observe the damage.
Ending: the owner said they face a choice of selling the building “as is” to an investor who would restore it or completing repairs themselves to seek a higher price. County staff acknowledged receipt of the owner's remarks and said they would follow up within days.
