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Elkhart County to review two bids to demolish burned house at 5106 Downey Street
Summary
County building staff described a burned, vandalized house with squatters; commissioners voted unanimously to have staff accept the submitted bids, review them and return with a recommendation. B and E Excavating bid $24,900; Jerry Reed Excavating bid $12,000.
Elkhart County commissioners on Nov. 17 voted unanimously to have staff accept and review two bids to demolish an unsafe, burned house at 5106 Downey Street and return with a recommendation to the board.
Kevin Williams, county building official, said the county first received a complaint about the property in February and that the homeowner is deceased. "So this house, burnt," Williams said, describing the structure as heavily vandalized with drywall removed and wiring and plumbing taken. He said tents were set up in the backyard and two campers were in the side yard, and that people had been living on the premises. "There's tents set up in the backyard," he said. Williams also reported that someone had been living in the shed and that the sheriff had expelled occupants a couple weeks earlier.
Williams presented two bids: B and E Excavating for $24,900 and Jerry Reed Excavating for $12,000. A commissioner moved that staff accept the bids, review them and return with a recommendation; the motion was seconded and the board approved it. The board clarified for the audience that the county will place a lien on the property when it performs demolition so the county may attempt to recover costs.
Next steps: staff will review the two bids and report back with a recommendation and any additional cost or timing details for the board to consider.
