Public safety committee forwards FlowerSource demolition contract to Village Board after resident concerns and safety warnings

The Germantown Public Safety Committee on March 3 heard public concerns about a planned demolition at the former FlowerSource property, received staff reports about safety hazards and trespassing, and voted to forward the proposed demolition contract to the Village Board for final consideration.

Residents questioned whether the village already owns the property and whether public notice and environmental testing had occurred. During public comment Melanie Smyth said the acquisition and demolition appeared rushed and that residents had not been fully informed: “Why are you demolishing buildings? Do you own the property yet? What is it costing?” Sarah Larson asked the committee to table any vote and provide environmental studies before demolition, saying the contract “isn’t a simple $50,000 decision.” Scott Heffley also raised questions about which committee was the appropriate venue and requested accounting for a “Pilgrim Mequon redevelopment project fund” referenced in local news coverage.

Staff reported the Village Board had directed staff on Feb. 17 to close on three properties, including the FlowerSource parcel and an adjacent lot, and that the closing on the FlowerSource parcel was scheduled for the Thursday immediately following the committee meeting. Village staff said the lowest demolition bid received was from DNH Demolition for $50,791. Staff cautioned that further testing of structures would be required before demolition and that the village intends to pay demolition costs from tax-increment financing (TIF) and seek reimbursement as the TID is finalized.

A village staff member and the police noted repeated trespassing at the shuttered site in recent years and said crews had discovered people living inside buildings and instances where doors and glazing had been removed. A staff description of the site identified an open cistern inside one greenhouse (described as roughly 10 feet deep), broken greenhouse glass, and an exposed boiler as present safety hazards.

Action: a trustee moved to table the contract and send it to the Village Board; the motion was seconded and approved by the committee, which will consider the matter at the Village Board meeting immediately following the committee.

Why it matters: demolition would remove structures staff described as public-safety hazards, but residents and committee members pressed for clarity about ownership, potential environmental liabilities and the use of public funds (including reimbursement via a TIF/TID). Several public commenters urged delay until environmental testing and more public engagement occur.

Ending: The committee’s vote forwards the demolition contract and accompanying documents to the Village Board for final action; staff noted additional testing and TIF documentation will be needed before work begins.