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Shelbyville council reviews Riverview District arch bids and debates condemning derelict box factory
Summary
Council received low‑bid recommendations for a Riverview District entrance arch and discussed downtown improvement grant spending, then debated options (condemnation, purchase negotiation, code enforcement) for a derelict box factory property; staff were asked to open talks with the owner’s realtor and return with options for action.
Council members reviewed sealed bids for a custom Riverview District entrance arch and a recommendation from the bid committee to consider the low bid as the preferred option. Lori (bid committee) summarized received bids and said staff recommended the local low bidder for award consideration at next week’s meeting. The project would be funded in part by a downtown improvement grant which requires city matching funds.
Council members asked that specific design choices be shared with the full council before final action and raised concerns about the timing of new installations while adjacent downtown construction and Riverwalk work remain incomplete. The mayor and other members urged careful coordination with ongoing projects.
The meeting then turned to a longstanding derelict “box factory” property on the edge of downtown. Council members described the site as an eyesore and safety hazard with occasional homeless occupancy. Options discussed included code enforcement orders, condemning the building as a safety hazard, negotiating a purchase through the owner’s realtor, or pursuing receivership processes. Several council members asked staff to begin outreach to the owner/realtor and to bring options back for possible condemnation or an acquisition process at a future meeting.
Next steps: staff will provide council with bid documents and recommended contract language for the arch project at the next business meeting, and city management/attorney will open dialogue with the box factory owner’s realtor about remediation or sale. No final contract awards or condemnation votes were taken in the study session.
