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Committee authorizes stipulation to resolve condemnation at 104 East College Street, saving city abatement costs
Summary
The committee authorized staff to enter a quiet‑title stipulation for 104 East College Street under which new owners will assume demolition and post a surety, saving the city roughly $14,000 in abatement and contractor costs, staff said.
The Legal and Finance Committee on Nov. 13 authorized staff to enter a stipulation in a quiet‑title action involving a condemned property at 104 East College Street that city staff said will remove the need for immediate city‑funded demolition.
Community Development Director Vicky Fisher and staff attorney Jennifer Utter explained that the property had an existing condemnation order and approximately $11,000 in outstanding abatement costs. Jennifer Utter described negotiations with the new owners and plaintiffs in the quiet‑title action under which the new owners will assume code‑enforcement responsibility, post a bond to cover demolition costs and proceed through the tax‑deed process so the property can be cleaned up without the city incurring immediate abatement expense.
"They are also very importantly posting a bond for the demolition costs...if for whatever reason...the new owners are not able to take action, then the city will have an opportunity to draw on their bond and complete that without the city having to bear the cost of that abatement," Utter said.
Fisher said the city anticipated saving about $14,000 by waiving the $11,000 in outstanding abatement and letting the new owners demolish the house (estimated contractor cost about $25,000). Staff also said the house is unsafe — off its foundation, basement caving in, no utilities — and neighbors reported occupants using the yard as a bathroom and occasional children present.
Committee member Bill Evans asked for clarification because photos made the house look less obviously dilapidated; staff confirmed structural and habitability concerns. The committee voted to approve the stipulation; the motion carried unanimously.
