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Board seeks clearer plan for fire-damaged homes, hears progress at Trinity Church stabilization
Summary
Madison’s Board of Public Works and Safety asked staff to produce a definitive plan by the next meeting for fire-damaged properties at 776 and 778 3rd Street and heard an update that Trinity Church stabilization continues with engineer-driven bracing and phased demolition.
The Board of Public Works and Safety on June 15 pressed staff for a firmer timeline and plan to address two fire-damaged properties on 3rd Street and received an update on stabilization work at Trinity Church.
Staff reported the owner of 776 3rd Street has received an insurance payout and indicated an intent to demolish the structure; follow-up contact is pending to confirm timetable. By contrast, 778 3rd Street has seen cleanup work, demolition of unsafe rear sections and engineer-installed bracing on the front façade to stabilize the building while longer-term rehabilitation plans are developed. A staff member said the contractor followed the engineer’s specifications for bracing but acknowledged the current arrangements (concrete barricades in the roadway) raise safety and stability questions if struck by a vehicle.
Board members pressed staff to obtain more detailed engineering specifications and to return with a definitive owner plan at the next meeting. One member said the objective is not to force an unreasonable schedule but to ensure a plan exists so the board can determine whether formal enforcement or further action is required.
On Trinity Church, staff described steady progress: engineers are updating recommendations as crews uncover additional cracks and structural issues, crews are working to support the second-story deck to the foundation, and teams plan to replace a 300-ton crane with a smaller 100-ton crane to reduce the site footprint and reopen more of the Broadway/Fountain area. Staff indicated they will continue weekly updates and will seek to coordinate with the property owner and contractor as the work advances.
The board did not take formal enforcement action at the meeting but directed staff to return with a more definitive plan for 776 and with engineer-verified bracing specifications for 778.
