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Elkhart board approves selective demolition of Chase Building, several change orders and easement release
Summary
The Board approved selective demolition bid advertisement for the Chase Building (121 W. Franklin), accepted change orders for Bristol Street and the Hyvely Avenue overpass, and authorized release of a temporary highway easement tied to Casopolis Street work.
The City of Elkhart’s Board of Public Works voted Thursday to move forward on several infrastructure and building projects, approving selective demolition for a downtown facility, ratifying modest change orders on street and overpass projects, and clearing a temporary easement.
Board members authorized advertisement of Bid 26-13 to perform interior selective demolition at 121 West Franklin Street (the Chase Building) and demolition of a building at 420 South 2nd Street to make surface parking as part of a longer-term build-operate-transfer plan for police, fire administration and the 911 center. Jeff Schafer, director of public works, said selective demolition will remove furnishings, drywall and other interior materials down to steel and concrete.
The board accepted Change Order #1 for the Bristol Street reconstruction project (a partially federally funded job) — an increase of roughly $41,000 to accommodate temporary pavement and pedestrian routing while maintaining westbound traffic; staff said INDOT’s new process for federally funded change orders required board ratification. The board also accepted Change Order #1 for the Hyvely Avenue Overpass, which resulted in a decrease after the contractor proposed using an IN DOT–approved product called "yellow jacket wrapping" instead of pile sleeves.
The board approved a release of a temporary highway easement related to the 2018 Casopolis Street sidewalk project after a property buyer (a Valvoline oil-change business) asked to clear title; staff and legal reported no concerns.
Each motion passed by voice vote with no stated objections; staff said demolition work is proceeding and redevelopment proposals are anticipated soon.
Votes at a glance: the board approved advertisement of Bid 26-13 for selective demolition, accepted two change orders (Bristol Street increase ~ $41,000; Hyvely decrease), and authorized the easement release.
