Council authorizes bid for demolition of 209 West Wishbone; city exploring lien foreclosure

The Aberdeen City Council authorized staff to solicit bids to demolish the building at 209 West Wishbone and discussed next steps including lien placement and possible foreclosure because the county has not been collecting on some liens for years.

Public works recommended the city put the old Rockies You Bake Pizza building out to bid for demolition; council voted to authorize staff to proceed. Staff clarified that authorizing bids is only the first step and that the actual demolition contract would return to council for final decisions after bids are received.

Public works and city administration explained the typical post‑demolition process: the city places a lien on the property and the lien remains until the property sells and the lien is paid or the county handles back‑tax proceedings. Officials told the council that in many recent cases the county has not been collecting liens and that the county’s lack of collection—estimated in discussion at about eight years—has limited the city’s ability to recover costs. On staff direction, city administration and the legal team are examining foreclosure on outstanding liens so the city could take title to properties where it has invested demolition or abatement funds.

Council members voted to authorize bidding and to proceed with the lien/foreclosure review; no demolition contract was executed at the meeting. The council asked staff to return with next steps once bids are received and with legal guidance on foreclosure and lien collection.