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Wymore seeks alternatives to demolish two downtown buildings after state grant not funded
Summary
City Attorney Andy Carothers told the Wymore City Council the Revitalize Rural Nebraska Grant Program is currently not funded, leaving the city to identify other financing for demolition of two downtown buildings; Carothers suggested exploring a Micro TIF program and consulting LARM on liability insurance.
The Wymore City Council heard Feb. 4 that plans to use a state grant to demolish two dilapidated downtown buildings are on hold because the Revitalize Rural Nebraska Grant Program has not been funded.
City Attorney Andy Carothers told the council he had emailed members explaining the state program is not available "at this time" and said, "We will need to find other means to finance the demolition of two downtown buildings." He recommended inviting Attorney Andrew Willis to discuss a Micro TIF program as a possible financing tool for property owners to build new housing on cleared lots.
Carothers also said he would contact Fred Wiebelhaus at the League Association of Risk Management (LARM) about liability insurance for properties the city has acquired. The attorney framed the Micro TIF conversation as an option to enable property redevelopment rather than an immediate funding commitment.
Mayor Collin Meints and council members discussed next steps but did not take formal action at the meeting. The council directed staff and legal counsel to pursue follow-up, including scheduling a separate meeting to discuss the Micro TIF option and liability coverage.
Carothers’ comments mark a procedural step: the city must identify financing or partnerships before work on demolition can proceed. No demolition contract or funding source was approved at the Feb. 4 meeting.
