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Le Mars schedules public hearing, bid timeline for Centennial Building demolition
Summary
The Le Mars City Council set a public hearing for Sept. 16, 2025 and established an Oct. 1, 2025 bid opening date for plans to demolish the Centennial Building; council members emphasized that public comment is appropriate at the hearing.
The Le Mars City Council set a public hearing for 12 p.m. Sept. 16, 2025, to take public comment on plans, specifications, form of contract and an estimate of cost for the demolition of the Centennial Building, and established an Oct. 1, 2025, 2 p.m. bid opening to allow the council to consider bids at its Oct. 7 meeting.
Councilmember Bruns made the motion to set the hearing and bid dates and a second was recorded; the motion carried. Council members stressed that the scheduled public hearing is the designated time for residents to raise concerns about the demolition plan rather than after a vote is taken.
During discussion, one speaker suggested converting the lot—currently without a concrete plan—into a small neighborhood park and asked whether existing trees near the lot were ash. Staff said it would check the tree species and noted that some trees are on adjacent right-of-way and not city property. Speakers emphasized preserving trees where possible.
Separately, staff reported asbestos-removal work is nearly complete inside the Centennial Building, with remaining work on the roof expected to be done prior to demolition planning. No contract award for demolition was recorded at the meeting; the council only set the hearing and bid timetable.
The council did not specify an estimated demolition cost at the meeting. Further details on plans, bid specifications and the city’s estimate of cost will be presented at the Sept. 16 public hearing and in the bid documents opened Oct. 1.
