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County awards demolition contract for unsafe home at 5504 Big Santiana Road amid owner plea to salvage structure
Summary
The board approved awarding a residential demolition and site cleanup contract for 5504 Big Santiana Road to STEMLE Excavating for $21,700 after hearings that included the homeowner’s request to salvage a lower level. Commissioners and building officials said a court order found the structure unsafe.
The Vanderburgh County Board of Commissioners voted July 29 to award a residential demolition and site cleanup contract for 5504 Big Santiana Road to STEMLE Excavating LLC, the lowest bidder at $21,700.
The action followed presentations from county code and building officials who described longstanding deterioration at the property, legal action and a court order finding the house unsafe. Terry (last name not specified), representing the building commission, told the board the structure had “been open to the elements for years” and that the level of repair needed to comply with the court order made demolition the recommended action.
Homeowner Jeff Imge addressed the commissioners and asked for more time and permission to remove the upper level himself and salvage the lower level. Imge said he has health issues and that he had already removed five vehicles and was loading scrap into a dumpster. “I just wanna save the building,” Imge said, describing plans to downsize to the lower level and seal it.
Terry Ferenbacher and neighbor Randy Johnston spoke in support of giving Imge a chance to make repairs; Ferenbacher said the foundation appeared solid and asked for “a few months” to allow salvage work. County staff said the property had an extended history of complaints, zoning violations and a court-ordered abatement process. Building commission staff said they had seen documentation from the owner but concluded that demolition remained the appropriate remedy under the court order.
Commissioner Gable moved to award the demolition and site cleanup contract to STEMLE Excavating in the amount of $21,700; Commissioner Canterbury seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Commissioners described the vote as reluctant but necessary to address an unsafe structure and cumulative neighbor complaints.
The county will proceed with demolition as ordered by the court; the record shows the matter reached the board after litigation and multiple inspections. Commissioners and staff asked the owner and neighbors to continue communications about potential private remediation options, but the formal action to award the contract will allow county-directed abatement to proceed.
Votes at a glance: Award demolition and site cleanup at 5504 Big Santiana Road to STEMLE Excavating LLC for $21,700 — motion approved unanimously.
