Commissioners press owner to finish demolition of Sloane property or county will solicit bids

Du Bois County commissioners on July 21 told the owner of a deteriorated commercial building identified in meeting materials as the Sloane property that the county will solicit bids and proceed with demolition work if the owner does not finish the project as previously promised. County staff reported partial demolition activity on the site and said debris, holes in the backside of the structure and other hazards remain. The owner said he planned to retain one standing wall, anchor it and construct a deck, and asserted the wall had been checked and “is completely plumbed and secured to the foundation.” Commissioners and county staff said they had reservations about leaving a single wall standing without a structural engineer’s written certification. County staff proposed a revised, enforceable scope of work to present at the next meeting: remove the specified wall(s), clear debris, fill the resulting hole, and secure the remaining structure. Commissioners instructed staff to prepare a scope, solicit quotes, and move forward at the next meeting if the owner had not completed the demolition in the interim. County counsel said the county could record a notice of reimbursement as a lien if county work is required and unpaid. Commissioners noted a history of delayed compliance on the property and said leaving a single wall up — even with owner assurances — raised safety concerns. County staff and the health department emphasized securing openings to prevent trespass, rodent harboring and other public‑safety risks. The board directed staff to prepare the scope for solicited quotes and noted the county will proceed without further pause if the owner does not finish the work.