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City staff report progress on condemned buildings; council gives owners 60 days on several properties
Summary
City building official Jason Liddy told the council Oct. 7 that some owners of condemned commercial properties have engaged contractors or new owners while other properties remain in need of demolition or remediation.
City building official Jason Liddy updated the Hutchinson City Council on Oct. 7 about a series of commercial properties previously declared unsafe or dangerous. The properties discussed included 806 N. Plumb, 22 W. 5th, 211 E. 4th and 411 S. Main, among others.
Liddy said some properties have active demolition contractors or have completed required disconnects and asbestos assessments; for example, one demolition contractor filed for a permit and staff have extended permit timelines while awaiting asbestos reports. At 411 S. Main, Liddy reported the owner told staff he currently does not intend to repair the building and may sell it or let it go to tax sale, and that staff have not received plans to restore it.
The council discussed balancing demolition now against waiting for tax‑sale outcomes. Some members expressed concern that delaying action on a hazardous, multistory structure could increase liability if it degrades further; staff said demolition cost estimates for the three properties previously cited total in the mid‑hundreds of thousands and could be higher for complex, attached multistory structures.
Liddy said staff will issue requests for bids for demolition where appropriate and will continue to work with owners who are actively pursuing rehabilitation. Council directed staff to return with bid results and to revisit a set of tabled properties on Dec. 2 to allow owners additional time to present plans or complete work.
