Board grants 45-day stay on demolition of 1605 Franklin Street as residents press preservation options

The Michigan City Board of Public Works and Safety voted Jan. 20 to grant a 45-day stay of the demolition order for 1605 Franklin Street, a measure the board said was aimed at allowing additional time for alternatives and safety work. Chair called the vote and stated, "And so the order has passed, from 5 to 4."

During the public-comment period, Warner Grama said the 45 days previously allowed were “insufficient” to complete engineering, bracing and fabrication work and proposed removing the top floor to remove immediate safety risks while retaining architectural elements. Grama described a plan for an "open air urban garden" that would preserve steel infrastructure and allow public use sooner than a full rebuild.

Other residents urged caution about rapid demolitions. Tommy Kolovic cited other properties he said had been on demolition lists longer and questioned the city's demolition spending and timelines, saying the board should not rush to remove structures without exhausting alternatives. Another commenter, Scott Mellon, urged the board to weigh property-rights implications and not demolish if owners show good-faith efforts to comply.

Board members said the additional 45 days were granted in recognition of continuing efforts and cited past cases where property owners successfully removed buildings from demolition lists after working with staff. Board member Smith said the board "has been pretty accommodating" and that the extension is consistent with trying to balance safety and property-owner rights.

Next steps: the stay extends the compliance window by 45 days; staff and the property owner may develop options to address structural safety and compliance. The board did not adopt a redevelopment plan at the meeting.