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Wymore council discusses demolition, owner to fund up to $3,500 for 321 N. 11th
Summary
City Attorney Andy Carothers said the owner of 321 N. 11th will "pay up to $3,500" toward demolition and the attorney will place funds into escrow; the council discussed fire-department training burns, liability, and a downtown demolition grant that requires condemnation or city ownership.
The Wymore City Council discussed options for demolishing dilapidated properties at its Jan. 3 meeting, including one owner-funded demolition and the possibility of a controlled burn for fire-department training.
City Attorney Andy Carothers reported that the owner of 321 N. 11th “will pay up to $3,500” toward demolition and said he would arrange for those funds to be placed in escrow. Tim (city staff) said the parties had agreed to pay all fees except equipment fees, which he estimated at about $3,500. Tim also said a burned building cannot be sent to the dump for 30 days after burning, a constraint the city must consider when planning removal.
Mark Meint indicated the Fire Department would be interested in burning the building for training purposes; Tim cautioned against sending personnel upstairs in the unsafe structure, and Mayor Collin Meints described training tactics the department might use. Council members and staff discussed the logistics and liabilities of allowing anyone to enter unstable buildings to remove salvageable contents.
Mayor Meints raised a downtown demolition grant opportunity but noted the grant requires a property to be condemned or owned by the city. Tim said the city has a demolition list targeted for late winter or early spring and that Andy Carothers will seek owner consent to inspect other properties; Tim also asked the city to provide photographs of the structures for the attorney.
Gordon Michaelis asked specifically about the contents of the Gambles building if it were demolished; Sue Sapp said community members, including pharmacy customers, sometimes inquire about items inside, and Tim said roll-off fees are currently cheaper than construction-and-demo dump fees.
The council did not take a formal vote on condemnation or grant application authority at the meeting. The discussion concluded with staff directed to continue compiling a demolition list and pursue necessary inspections and owner consents.
