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Resident urges Rushford to act on health, tax and redevelopment concerns at vacant 'Old School' property
Summary
Resident Mike Miller told the council neighbors report a moldy smell at the long-vacant Old School and urged the city to pursue ordinances, tax remedies or eminent domain; Mayor Leigh Volkman asked staff to set up a meeting with the property owner.
A Rushford resident pressed the City Council on Monday to take action on the long-vacant Old School building, saying neighbors report a persistent moldy odor and that no apparent remediation has occurred.
“it had been a year since he originally brought this to council and that he and community members feel that nothing has been done,” resident Mike Miller told the council, raising public-health concerns and saying neighbors reported a smell of mold when windows or doors are open. Miller said the current owner has not been paying property taxes and that the city may have avenues to pursue unpaid taxes back up to six years for improper filing, and that eminent domain could be considered if vacancy or health risks persist.
Miller said he has been contacted by people interested in redeveloping the site and urged the council to consider adopting a nuisance ordinance and pursuing other remedies to protect public health and encourage reuse.
Mayor Leigh Volkman responded by asking staff to arrange a meeting with the property owner “so that we can share some of the concerns that have been expressed by community members, and so that we have an understanding of what his plans are for the building going forward.” That meeting was requested as a next step; no enforcement action was taken at Monday’s meeting.
The council did not vote on any ordinance or take formal legal action during the meeting; the item remained a subject for follow-up with staff and the owner.
