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Plymouth council directs administration to prepare appropriation to demolish unsafe downtown building
Summary
After hearing that demolition and asbestos remediation will cost roughly $85,000–$90,000, the Plymouth Common Council voted to direct the administration to prepare a supplemental appropriation (including a proposed $50,000 transfer from general reserves) so the city can proceed with procurement and potential demolition this year.
The Plymouth Common Council on Feb. 9 directed city administrators to prepare an additional appropriation to fund demolition of an unsafe downtown building, after staff said removing the structure and remediating asbestos would cost roughly $85,000–$90,000.
Dennis (city staff) told the council the unsafe‑building fund currently holds about $51,000 and that the city would need to transfer roughly $50,000 from general reserves to complete the work this year. He said the low demolition bid previously received may no longer be available and that rebidding would raise costs.
The council also heard that the Indiana Attorney General’s office holds a judgment lien on the property of roughly $400,000 that would remain while the building stands. Staff said the AG’s office indicated it would foreclose the lien if the city demolished the building, and that office representatives had suggested possible post‑foreclosure discussions — including prorated reimbursement of demolition costs or a mechanism by which the city could acquire the parcel after sheriff sale.
Council members discussed funding options and legal risks. Councilor Lyn noted the unsafe building fund balance and urged caution about depleting the account; others argued that delays would only increase costs. Dennis said state brownfield grants typically cover testing but not full remediation and that many such grants require a planned reuse and ownership clarity.
A motion to direct the administration to prepare the additional appropriation (including the proposed $50,000 transfer from general reserves into the unsafe building fund) carried by roll call vote.
The council did not yet finalize the appropriation ordinance or payment to a contractor; staff were instructed to notify the previously awarded contractor and pursue the administrative steps necessary to obligate funds if the contractor would honor the original bid. The next procedural step is the formal additional‑appropriation process, which staff said could take several weeks under current DLGF procedures.
