Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Demolition topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council hears accounting for $1.5M demolition appropriation; 10 contract demolitions completed
Summary
Administration reported $1.5 million was set aside for demolition of blighted properties; 10 contractor-demolitions were completed at a total near $945,000, and the city also invested in equipment to increase in‑house capacity.
Administration briefed council on the ARPA-funded demolition of blighted properties. The appropriation for demolition was $1,500,000, with approximately $500,000 used to purchase equipment to support in‑house demolitions and the remainder used to contract out demolition work.
Administration reported 10 properties were taken down using contractors under a competitive bid process, and the total contractor cost for that bundle was about $945,000. Operations Manager John Watson said the city purchased an excavator and two high lifts to increase its in‑house demolition capacity and that in‑house demo work costs less because the city charges hourly wages and uses existing crews. Watson also said in‑house demo costs vary but estimated an in‑house demolition (including party walls) could run about $50,000 to $60,000 per property depending on complexity.
Council members asked why the city contracted out for 10 demolitions instead of doing more work in house. Administration explained that prior to purchasing the new equipment the city had capacity constraints and that the equipment purchases were intended to increase in‑house throughput so future demolitions would require fewer outside contracts.
Watson said the remaining small balance in the demolition appropriation will be used for ancillary needs such as equipment misting devices to control dust for incinerator acceptance. Administration said it would provide council with a detailed cost breakdown for the 10 contractor‑led demolitions and the associated equipment purchases so the public can review per‑property costs.
Council requested that administration publish the breakdown to improve transparency and said the public should be able to see line‑item costs for each site removed under the demolition appropriation.
