Council approves demolition of three downtown buildings, allocates $135,000 not-to-exceed

The Merriam City Council voted 7-0 to approve demolition contracts with Dutton Excavating, d/b/a Midland Wrecking, for three city‑owned buildings on Merriam Drive, setting a combined not‑to‑exceed budget of $135,000. Mister Ingalls, speaking for staff, said the low bid totaled $131,700 and staff requested the small contingency to cover unknown subsurface conditions: "1 of those buildings has piers that go about 15 feet down into the ground," he said, noting the city wants flexibility if additional work is required. Nut graf: The properties were recently acquired by the city and sit adjacent to the Merriam Marketplace; staff said the parcels could be used for future floodplain mitigation, redevelopment or public open space. Council approved a phased demolition approach so work can be coordinated around scheduled downtown events such as car shows and drive-in festivals. Staff told council the contractor has previously performed similar demolition work for the city and completed prior projects within budget. Council members discussed future uses for the cleared parcels; Council member Caswell said open space adjacent to the Marketplace would reduce flood risk and provide amenities for residents. Staff also said if the properties are later needed for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood project, the city will receive credit or reimbursement for work tied to the Corps local-match accounting. The motion to approve demolition and contingency passed unanimously. Ending: Staff said demolition will be phased to avoid interfering with downtown events and that the city will coordinate timing and site restoration with event organizers.