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Council accepts county offer of former courthouse property with $1 million for demolition; demolition estimate $2.5–2.7M
Summary
Elkhart accepted an interlocal agreement with Elkhart County to transfer the former courthouse block to the city; the county will provide $1,000,000 toward demolition. Staff estimated demolition costs between $2.5 million and $2.7 million and described plans for market‑driven urban design and an RFP to guide redevelopment.
The Elkhart Common Council voted to approve an interlocal transfer and funding agreement with Elkhart County to accept the former courthouse property and $1,000,000 toward demolition costs.
Development services director Mike Hubert explained the county initiated contact in late 2024 and offered to transfer the property in lieu of conducting its own request‑for‑bids process. The city conducted due diligence — including title research and a Phase I environmental review — and asked the county to contribute to demolition costs. The county agreed to provide $1,000,000 as described in the agreement. City staff said their current estimate for full demolition of the buildings and returning the block to a redevelopable site is between $2.5 million and $2.7 million; that figure will be refined when bids are solicited.
Councilors questioned whether rehabilitation of existing structures had been considered; staff said the county’s assessment concluded the building had effectively reached the end of its useful life and demolition was the recommended course. Council members debated the relative risk of accepting the property (and remaining demolition exposure) versus allowing the county to proceed with an RFP or a sale that could result in private ownership without demolition or redevelopment aligned with city goals.
Staff described a planned process to develop urban design scenarios and a market analysis to guide an RFP that would seek developers to deliver walkable, downtown‑style redevelopment. Staff also reported there is developer interest in the site. The resolution passed on a roll‑call vote of 8–1; Councilman Henke cast the lone no vote. The motion was made by Councilman Crabtree and seconded by Councilwoman Hines.
