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Mayor: $1 million state grant funds demolition of 12 structures; Orange Street thrift store removed
Summary
Mayor reported a $1,000,000 state grant awarded in September will fund demolition of 12 structures, including the former Orange Street thrift store; demolition of portions of the old National Latex manufacturing facility also began, with some historic and office elements to be preserved as part of pump house district revitalization efforts.
Mayor reported at the council—s Jan. 7 meeting that the city received a $1,000,000 state grant in September to demolish 12 structures around Ashland.
The mayor said the work targets abandoned homes, collapsing structures and some industrial/commercial buildings. He noted the old thrift store on Orange Street has already been demolished and that the city saved the building—s cornerstone. The mayor said the cornerstone reads "Krum Rhine" (as read during remarks) and that city staff will determine whether it should be placed with the historical society or preserved by family members who have expressed interest.
The mayor also reported that Simonson Construction began demolishing the old manufacturing portion of the facility formerly known as National Latex. He said the office building and newer sections of the complex will be retained and that a local entrepreneur is working on repurposing the office building for a new business. The mayor framed these demolitions as part of a larger revitalization of the 4th Street area the city refers to as the pump house district, and said none of the demolition work was funded from the budget recently adopted at the meeting.
The mayor recounted the local industrial history in brief: National Latex was founded in 1939 by Harry Gill and at one point the city produced a large share of manufactured balloons worldwide, alongside Eagle Rubber Company. He said demolition and cleanup are intended to prepare sites for future development; the meeting transcript does not record formal council votes on the demolitions or on reuse plans.
